So You Want a Bathroom Television

bath_tvWhether you want to wash with soap operas or primp with prime time, these guidelines for installing a TV in the bathroom can help

I’ll get this out of the way first: I’ve always had a hard time understanding the appeal of TVs in bathrooms. Unlike the kitchen, which is usually the hub of household life, or a den where family and guests gather, a bathroom seems to me as though it should be a private retreat and a haven from the outside world (temporarily, at least).

But let’s say you do want a television in your bath — perhaps you enjoy its background noise while you prepare for bed, or you like to get a jump on the day’s headlines as you primp in the mornings. It’s not quite as simple as mounting a flat screen on the living room wall; you’ll need to factor in a few special considerations. Here’s what to keep in mind.

Kitchen of the Week: Streamlined and Smart in Montreal

The 10 Home Remodeling Projects You Should Not DIY

TyvekThere are easy and affordable ways to upgrade and decorate your home. Small upgrades can go a long way to create more space. However, not all upgrades and remodeling projects are safe for you to do on your own. Stylist Home created a great top 10 list for remodeling projects that are better left to a professional.

1) Paving Your Driveway
Paving stones can turn a boring driveway into a focal point. And while they look relatively simple to install, the reality is that the measuring and positioning of paving stones can be tremendously time-consuming. (Think of it as a game of Tetris on steroids.) But a team of professionals can cut installation down to a day, depending on your driveway size.

2) Tree Removal
Cutting down trees, or even removing branches requires climbing and working with dangerous tools from a high distance off the ground. This is disaster waiting to happen, and definitely something better left to professionals who are trained and paid to do this!

3) Electrical Work
It’s one thing to flip a fuse switch to the power in your home on or off, but another to attempt to repair faulty wiring or any other electrical issues without professional help. Working with electrical wires can be deadly and the proper precautions and knowledge are crucial.

4) Home Additions Or Structural Changes
Knocking down walls might seem like a simple task, but behind those walls could be electrical wiring, gas pipes and plumbing that can cause huge problems in your home. Rather than taking a chance, consult a contractor first!

5) Plumbing Repair
Unless it’s something simple like unclogging a toilet or fixing a drain, messing with plumbing can cause major dilemmas (Just think about an overflowing toilet or unstoppable burst in a pipe…not fun). It’s always better to ask a plumber before trying to tackle any plumbing issues on your own.

For the full list check out The 10 Home Remodeling Projects You Should Not DIY by Stylist Home.

Image via Stylist Home

How to Design a Kitchen Island

8 Hot Gadgets for Your High-Tech Home

Nest Thermostat

Home thermostat that learns your behavior and adjusts itself accordingly. The Nest Thermostat has been called the “iPod of thermostats,” because it was designed by the same man who helped design the iPod. That means it also has the same elegant design and easy user interface we’ve come to know. It has a round shape with colors that are designed to blend into whatever color wall you install it on.

The thermostat is intended to save you energy and money by automatically learning your patterns and behavior and adjusting itself accordingly. For instance, if you regularly come downstairs at 8 a.m. every day and set the temp to 70 degrees, it stores and learns that info. Then, using motion sensor technology, if it doesn’t sense your presence every morning, it will figure out you’re away and will adjust the temp to save on energy.

Nespresso Maestria

The Nespresso Maestria is a single-serve coffee machine that uses a high-pressure pump and Thermoblock heating element to deliver a perfect cup of coffee each time you use it. Barista wannabes will enjoy the professional-style steam wand that lets you control the temperature and frothiness of the steamed milk in your cappuccino. The Maestria will automatically test the water and adjust it for hard or soft, and will shut itself off after a certain period of inactivity.

Roku 2

An incredibly simple way to stream video to your TV. The Roku 2 is one of the easiest ways to stream media to your television. It’s a tiny box that connects to your home’s Wi-Fi, letting you watch both free and paid (subscription) content, ranging from Netflix to Hulu to news and tech TV channels. The remotes that come with the Roku 2 feature bluetooth, something that previous models were lacking.

iRobot Roomba 790

This vacuum has a wireless command center that schedules cleanings and allows users to control the device from anywhere in the house. This is one high-priced vacuum, but oh, the things it can do! Using a touchscreen remote, you can steer your Roomba to any spot in the house. The remote is called a Wireless Command Center, but works much like an RC toy, meaning it might make cleaning fun for the videogame set. You can also use the Command Center to schedule cleaning for when you’re not home, or on a different floor of your home. Roomba can handle most any job; it has a three-stage cleaning process to vacuum carpets, hardwood, tile and linoleum floors, and it will automatically adjust to the different floor surfaces. Unlike you, who may be easily distracted, Roomba will thoroughly clean each room in the home before moving on to the next.

Sonos Play:3

Powerful all-in-one wireless speaker for the home. The Sonos Play: 3 is a smaller, less expensive version of Sonos’ Play: 5 wireless speaker system, which makes it a great fit for the home. Sonos speakers stream your music library throughout your house using a wireless Internet connection, meaning you can control the music from one room, via an iOS or Android app, while sending it to a different room in the house.

The Sonos speaker can also connect with iOS devices, mobile phones, music players, Android phones and tablets. The Play: 3 come in black or white and has a sleek design that lets it fit in tight spaces. The Play: 3 is rocking three drivers inside; two woofers and a tweeter, along with three digital amplifiers.

Belkin WeMo Switch

WeMo uses Wi-Fi to turn an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch into a remote control for household devices. WeMo makes home automation simple. The WeMo switch, used in conjunction with the free WeMo app, lets you control any appliance that plugs into an electrical outlet. It runs over your home’s Wi-Fi network and can be controlled with any iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. You can use your phone to start your coffee maker as you come down the stairs in the morning, or turn on the lights before you get home. The app will also let you schedule devices to go on and off at pre-set times.

RoomMates Augmented Reality Wall Decals

These wall decals feature special augmented reality technology. You’ve heard the saying, ‘if walls could talk?’ Well what happens when walls can play games and interact? It’s all possible with the introduction of Augmented Reality Wall Decals from RoomMates. They’re removable, reusable peel-and-stick wall decals your kids can play with. They can be removed without damaging the walls, and they can we wiped clean. Download the BoostAR app from the iTunes store or Google Play and then point your phone or tablet up to the wall decal. The device will unlock and display interactive features and videos or games. There are six AR-enabled Disney wall decals to choose from and more on the way.

Logitech Alert 750n Indoor Master System

Video security system with wide-angle night vision and remote viewing. With all the electronic goodies in your home, you’re going to want to keep a watchful eye on things 24/7. The Logitech Alert 750n Indoor Master System offers powerful wide-angle night vision and a free remote viewing account so you can check in from afar. Motion-triggered recording can be set up to send you notification via email or SMS if movement is sensed. If you do get an alert, you can use the Logitech Alert Web and Mobile Commander service to access all the controls, as if you were running on a home PC. Logitech Alert is easily expandable, so you can add cameras throughout your home, inside and out.

Source: Mashable

8 Awesome Home Theaters

Watching a movie gets a completely new meaning in awesome home theaters.

1. King Kong Home Theater

 8 Awesome Home Theaters

This is a home theatre you can actually buy. It is a custom home theatre made by Tom Pina Designs. Giant King Kong is peeking behind the TV and grabbing the two chairs with his giant paws. If you are a classy person than this theatre isn’t for you.

2. Indiana Jones Home Theater

 8 Awesome Home Theaters

This home theater is the perfect thing for all those fans of Indiana Jones action. This particular one was designed by Doug Charrois, for Larry and Colleen Halliday in Canada. Even though it doesn’t have great AV gear it has a model model of a monkey and a gold idol. It also has replicas from Last Crusade like the Grail, and a set of Indiana jacket, hat, whip, and torches.

3. Brabus Home Away Theater

 8 Awesome Home Theaters

Brabus Away Home theatre is a Mercedes-Benz theatre on wheels. A 40 inch 3D model has a Play Station, Internet and iPads. There is also a coffee machine.

4. Bat Cave Home Theater

 8 Awesome Home Theaters

This is a Batman-themed home theater. It is a cave theater situated inside the Batman cave.

5. Inflated High End Home Theater

 8 Awesome Home Theaters

This cool inflatable home theater inflates in 5 minutes. It is a large 16 by 13 ft outdoor theater with a build in DVD.Music Hall Theater

6. Radio City
  8 Awesome Home Theaters

This home theatre was designed by James Bieber and it was inspired by Radio City Music Hall.

7. Rotating Home Theater

 8 Awesome Home Theaters

This is one awesome home theatre/room for hanging out with friends. The first row of seats rotates 180 degrees so that it faces the second row.

8. Pirates of the Caribbean Home Theater

 8 Awesome Home Theaters

You can have a Pirates of the Caribbean Home theatre at a price of $2.5million. It is a good setting for watching the Pirates of the Caribbean movies but not so much for watching horror movies.

Copyright @ Do-While.com

How to Create a Mood With Tile

tileSet the tone for your space with tantalizing tile patterns and techniques

If you’ve ever thought about creating a mood in your space, you may immediately have turned to the idea of painting the walls. This is a popular and very easy way to set the mood, but building materials also can define your room’s style. Don’t get me wrong — I’m all for using paint colors to bring personality into a room, but if you’re looking for something different and your budget allows it, try tile.

These days, tile comes in so many styles and finishes, and the added plus is durability. With tile, you’re sure to find just what you are looking for.

eclectic kitchen by Kenny Grono

by Kenny Grono

New rustic. This backsplash tile marries a rustic pattern with modern colors. Along with stainless steel appliances, wood ceiling beams and soft colors on the cabinets and walls, the look is both new and rustic.

asian bathroom by Christine Suzuki, ASID, LEED AP

by Christine Suzuki, ASID, LEED AP

Outdoorsy. Natural stone tile always displays nature’s varying textures and tones of gray, taupe and brown. This look is a sure way to bring the outdoors in.

traditional bathroom by Brennan + Company Architects

by Brennan + Company Architects

Retro. Black and white hexagonal tiles create a classic look that dates back to before World War II. These tiles are seeing a resurgence, as many people are restoring older homes and want to preserve the original materials.

eclectic kitchen by Alex Amend Photography

by Alex Amend Photography

Country. Large, rectangular tiles instantly create a down-home feel, especially in the kitchen. This look makes me want to grab some flour and start baking a pie!

eclectic entry by Rachel Greathouse

by Rachel Greathouse

Spanish. Terra cotta floor tiles give a room an unmistakable Spanish feel. An added bonus: If you live in a warm climate, these tiles are famous for helping to keep homes cool.

mediterranean staircase by Carson Poetzl, Inc.

by Carson Poetzl, Inc.

Inspirational. Turn your stairwell into a space that motivates you with each step. Tiles that are printed with Bible verses and inspirational quotes can remind us to count our blessings.

contemporary bathroom by David Neiman Architects

by David Neiman Architects

Futuristic. Tiles with a digital pattern can bring a taste of technology and the future into our homes.

modern bathroom by Narofsky Architecture + ways2design

by Narofsky Architecture + ways2design

Watery. A wall of blue glass tile is the next best thing to actual water, and it’s a great way to bring a spa feel to your bathroom.

Green and Clean: Ecofriendly Bath Countertops

Today’s green bathroom countertop options represent a trifecta of style, affordability and hygiene

For countertops subjected to splashes and steamy shower moisture, durability is the name of the game — and recycled content adds to their green credibility. Thankfully, neither of these features mean having to compromise on looks. Whether your taste runs toward sophisticated or sassy, modern or traditional, there’s a sustainable countertop for your bath.

modern bathroom by Lindy Donnelly

by Lindy Donnelly

Vetrazzo. Made of 100 percent recycled glass with a binder of cement, additives, pigments, big and bright chunks of glass, and other recycled materials, Vetrazzo is no shrinking violet. Fun options abound, including ‘Alehouse Amber’ made of recycled beer bottles and ‘Cobalt Skyy’ made of recycled Skyy® Vodka bottles. As with any cement-based counter, it’s porous, so you’ll want to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for ongoing sealing.

Heavy cement-based slabs such as Vetrazzo can consume a lot of transportation-related energy, so it’s worth being aware of where the product is manufactured. Vetrazzo is fabricated in Georgia.

Cost: $100 to $160 per square foot installed

contemporary bathroom by Divine Kitchens LLC

by Divine Kitchens LLC

IceStone. Countertops made of recycled glass with cement vary greatly in appearance. IceStone, manufactured in Brooklyn, New York, has smaller glass particles than Vetrazzo and provides a more subtle and refined character. It too boasts 100 percent recycled glass, to which only cement and pigment are added.

IceStone has earned one of my favorite certifications, Cradle to Cradle, due in part to its reutilization potential. Cradle to Cradle’s industry-independent approval is given to products that are safe for both people and the planet, and are also designed for a long life cycle.

Cost: $40 to $54 per square foot for the material only

modern bathroom FuezStone Beach Vanity

FUEZ. Manufactured at a wind-powered facility in Portland, Oregon, FUEZ is a mix of low-carbon cement, 100 percent recycled glass and natural aggregate. The company’s products offer an unusually broad range of aesthetics, thanks to four different product lines featuring either large or small glass chips, stone or a monolithic colored cement. With 50 different products and options for customization, you’re sure to find a countertop that matches your style.

Cost: $20 to $50 per square foot for the material only

bathroom countertops BioGlass, Oriental Jade

Bio-Glass. Bio-Glass, made of 100 percent recycled glass, achieves Cradle to Cradle certification and has an ethereal, translucent appearance. A simple but thoughtful application of Bio-Glass elevates this bathroom with its showstopping glow. Beyond beauty, glass is nonporous, so the countertop is more hygienic and needs no ongoing sealing and maintenance.

Cost: $85 to $115 per square foot for the material only

ThinkGlass Pebblo in Crystal

ThinkGlass. Our Canadian friends are behind the lovely and luminous ThinkGlass, an all-glass countertop made in part of recycled glass. In addition to ThinkGlass’ recycled content, the company works hard to green the production line, such as using rainwater to operate their glass cutting equipment.

Cost: $200 to $400 per square foot for the material only

kitchen countertops Starlight countertop, ECO by Cosentino

ECO by Cosentino. ECO, made by the same folks behind Silestone, is the go-to for sustainable solid surface countertops. Most solid surface countertops use a petroleum-based binder, whereas ECO has replaced that binder with a corn oil-based product. And the remainder of their makeup includes 75 percent recycled content from postindustrial and postconsumer sources: porcelain, mirrors, glass, stone and crystallized ash.

Once installed, ECO’s kindness continues with a nonporous surface that’s hygienic and requires less maintenance over time. And with certification from both Cradle to Cradle and GreenGuard, which certifies building products for low chemical emissions, you can be sure that ECO is the real green deal.

Cost: $68 to $118 per square foot installed

contemporary bathroom by KUBE architecture

by KUBE architecture

3-Form. My stash of 3-Form’s samples, with countless colors, finishes and patterns, is a toy box for design-minded grownups. Their recycled-content, resin-based products are all PVC free, and GreenGuard has certified the Varia EcoResin, Chroma, 100 Percent and Alabaster lines. The company walks their green talk by working toward zero waste and being carbon neutral.

Cost: $28 to $105 per square foot for the material only

modern bathroom countertops by Agrestal Designs

by Agrestal Designs

Squak Mountain Stone.Squak Mountain‘s countertop replicates the warmth and natural irregularities of stone with a matrix of recycled paper, glass and cement. This is a stout and durable countertop; however, as with concrete, it is susceptible to staining and etching. Either use extra care or embrace the patina.

Cost: $30 to $40 per square foot for the material only

traditional bathroom by LDa Architecture & Interiors

by LDa Architecture & Interiors

traditional bathroom by Tim Barber LTD Architecture & Interior Design

by Tim Barber LTD Architecture & Interior Design

5 Ultra Geek Chic Items for Your Home

Let’s face it. Geek is the new chic. Or at least that’s what tech-focused, Star Wars loving, graphic novel reading, Syfy watching folks would want all of you to believe. Ok, it’s what I want to. You have to admit that geekdom has taken over pop culture lately with super hero movies becoming critically acclaimed entertainment and ComicCon somehow entering the mainstream.

What about at home? Xbox is no longer for gamers as it is used more for entertainment than gaming. Phones, tablets and apps can control our heat, A/C and even security systems. But today we wanted to take a look at some ultra geek chic items for your home that you won’t find in just any home.

Tweet-a-Pot

 
Hmmm, what’s the one thing your morning is missing? How about a coffee pot that starts brewing when you send a tweet. Yes, that’s what my home has needed for quite some time. Come to think of it, it’s probably easier to hack your coffee pot to work through Twitter than it is to figure out how to set the auto-brew timer. For those who have yet to discover the wonder of Keurig, check out the video above on Tweet-a-pot.

 

Tetris Cushions

il 570xN.179398319 5 Ultra Geek Chic Items for Your Home

Tetris Cushions

I discovered these on Etsy.com from the Star Gallery shop while perusing the site for a mother’s day gift. At $279 for the set, you will truly have to be a committed game boy (pun intended) to have these on your couch at home. Is it just me or did you always hate that square piece? Never fits anywhere…(Image courtesy of Star Gallery on Etsy)


The Burritob0t

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The Burritob0t

I’m pre-ordering this today. This magical device has been built to construct the perfect burrito. Using proven scientific and chemistry tactics, the burrito bot will layer on just the right amount of flavor to create the ultimate burrito. Burritobot is also expected to come with an iPhone app that allows you to adjust they layers of goodness on your burrito to meet your specifications including levels of guacamole, salsa, sour cream, etc. No price has been determined for this yet, but can you really put a price on burrito goodness? (Image courtesy of y marko.manriquez)

Samsung Smart Window

 
What this product does is basically project an interactive, touch-based interface onto any window and allow you to make Minority Report-esque movements on the screen to serve up tweets, videos, weather and more.

The smart window is a one way display so while you see this virtual interface, others looking in won’t see it. No word yet on pricing or when it would officially roll out to the public, but I’ll be chomping at the bit to find out more details. Check out this video demo above.

R2D2 Entertainment Center


Move over Luke Skywalker. R2D2 can live in your home and become the sickest TV projector in the galaxy. With plugins for gaming consoles, Blu Ray players, iPod, satellite and cable, this R2D2 entertainment center can project a 260″ size screen onto any wall or ceiling. I’m not sure if it can be used to hack into the Death Star, but any home with this in it is quite possibly the king of the geek chic. Sadly, this projector made by Nikko is no longer in production so you’ll have to resort to finding one on eBay.