smart homes october 2010

THINKING OFBUILDING?

Remember yourbuilding plans must firstbe approved by the Townand Country PlanningDepartment.

Permitted Developmentis development that doesnot require the permissionof Chief Town Planner orMinister, but is subject tostatutory planningstandards and otherconditions as set out inthe TCPDO, 11997722 OOrrddeerr,such as building line, sideand rear distances, plotcoverage, and roadreserve to which there

must be adherence.However, Permitted

Development is notunrestricted development,as there are limitations. Itexcludes all lands fallingwithin the ScotlandDistrict for certain classesof development and alllands within Zone I of theWater Protection Area.

Permitted developmentpublic, may involvebuilding development inall the major classes ofdevelopment, sundryminor operations and thechange of use of buildingand land to any usewithin the same Use

Class. Invariably,however, there is astatutory requirement thatthe Chief Town Planner

certifies plans of thedevelopment before thedevelopment begins aswell as notification inwriting to the Chief TownPlanner of the start of thedevelopment.

FFoorrmmaall AApppplliiccaattiioonnDevelopment, which

cannot be carried outunder the TCPDO, 1972,requires formalapplication to the ChiefTown Planner forpermission.

Formal permissionresulting from such anapplication involves thespecific grant of approvalfor a particulardevelopment that is issuedpursuant to the submissionof an application to theChief Town Planner underSections 16, 17, 18 of the

TToowwnn aanndd CCoouunnttrryyPPllaannnniinngg AAcctt, CCaapp.. 224400.

Applicants have achoice of applying foreither outline or fullplanning permission whenthe application is to erecta building. The purposeof the outline applicationis to establish theprinciple of thedevelopment, without thenecessity of submitting fulldetails of the proposal.

The benefit is that theapplicant need onlyprovide the minimuminformation necessary fordecision-making; includingthe description of thedevelopment, a site and

location plan. Anymatters relating to thesiting, design, or externalappearance of thebuilding, or the layout ofthe land or the means ofaccess thereto, arereserved for thesubsequent approval ofthe Chief Town Planneron a further application.However, the Chief TownPlanner has the right torequest full details of theproposal in circumstanceswhere he considers thatan outline applicationought not to beconsidered separatelyfrom the design andrelated elements.

WEEKEND NATIONSPECIAL. FRIDAY,

OCTOBER 29, 2010, 2

Securingapproval the first step

BEFORE a block is laid you are required to secureapproval of your building plans from the Townand Country Planning Department. (FP)

WHEN PLANNINGto build a home it iscritical that you hirethe right buildingcontractor. If you hirethe wrong one, youmay end up with a poor quality builthome that took many more monthsand dollars tocomplete than you budgeted for.

Look for severalkey attributes.

First, he shouldhave a proven trackrecord of buildingquality homes, andprovide you with a listof completed homesand references.References shouldinclude both old and new projects.

Call and visit someof the references;examine the quality of construction, andask for feedback onthe homeowner’sexperience with thebuilding contractor.

Second, find out if the contractor hasactually built a home similar to your plans.You do not want to hire someone who hasonly built basic homes, if yours will beunique.

Third, look for a building contractor whodemonstrates good project management skillsand is methodical with his planning andconstruction.

Building a home is an expensiveendeavour and you want to be sure that the building contractor can be trusted withyour money to build your home correctly. If you sense he is “winging” it during theproposal/bidding phase, steer away from him.

Formal bids should be well documentedand include a bid proposal withaccompanying architectural drawings of the home to be constructed.

The bid proposal should clearly state allproject costs, as well as a detailed timelinefor work to be started and completed.Payment terms and schedules should beincluded, specific material types, andsubcontractors who the contractor will use.

Finally, make sure the building contractoris financially stable and has the track recordand backing of a bank to support your home building project.

If he is using a construction loan, insist on the name of the bank he is getting the loan from.

If the bank is providing a constructionloan, you should be reasonably comfortable that it has also done a background check on him.

Choosing the right

manfor thejob


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 3

HIRING THE WRONGbuilding contractor forthe job may leave youwith poor quality workso it’s important toshop around beforemaking your choice. (GP)

For the perfect products for your kitchen or bath, stop

nd the largest

range of quality brands, a symphony of ideas, and

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Come see why Wolseley is recommended by professional

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email: [email protected]

©2010 Wolseley. All Rights Reserved.

FA UC ET S FIXT URE S APPLIAN CES LIGHTIN G

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assage B

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#6 Canewood Industrial EstateSt. Michael

246-427-0580


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 4

YOU MAY CHOOSE to buy your propertyjointly with someone else, such as yourhusband, wife, relative or friend.

If you buy your property with someoneelse, you can choose to do this in one oftwo ways, as either:

• beneficial joint tenants, or• tenants in common.This is the case whether you own the

freehold or leasehold of the property.If you are thinking about buying a

property with someone else, you shouldget legal advice on the best type ofownership for you.

BBeenneeffiicciiaall jjooiinntt tteennaannttssIf you own your property as a beneficial

joint tenant, this means that it belongs toyou and the other owner(s) jointly. Youcan't re-mortgage or sell the propertywithout the agreement of all the otherowner(s). However, if there is a dispute, anowner can apply for a court order.

As a beneficial joint tenant, you don'town specific shares in the property and you can'tgive away a share of the property in a will. If youdie, your interest in the property passes automaticallyto the other owner(s).

TTeennaannttss iinn ccoommmmoonnIf you own your property as tenants in common,

this means that it belongs to you and the otherowner(s)jointly, but that you all also own a specificshare of its value. It is up to you to decide how mucheach share will be.

You can give away, sell or mortgage your share. Ifyou die, your share of the property does not passautomatically to the other owner(s). You can leaveyour share to whoever you like in your will.

SStteeppss iinn tthhee lleeggaall wwoorrkk ooff bbuuyyiinngg aa pprrooppeerrttyyAlthough it is impossible to give a precise idea of

how long the legal work involved in buying aproperty takes, it is possible to offer guidelines. Fromhaving an offer accepted to exchange of contractscan take up to seven weeks and from exchange ofcontracts to completion can take up to four weeks.However, if there are any problems the time takenmay be longer.

Once you have instructed the attorney, the seller’sattorney draws up a contract which will eventually besigned by you and the seller. However, before thecontract can be signed, your attorney must make surethere are no problems with the ownership of theproperty, rights of way, access, or futuredevelopments in the area that might affect theproperty.

AArrrraannggiinngg ttoo ppaayy tthhee ddeeppoossiittWhile the attorney is making the enquiries, you

should sort out how you will pay the deposit that hasto be made when the contracts are exchanged. Thisdeposit is often 10 per cent of the price of the homebut it can vary. It is also mostly paid by the mortgagecompany or bank.

If raising the deposit is a problem, you couldconsider borrowing the money from family members,or try to get a bridging loan from a bank. However,the amount of interest you will have to pay for abridging loan will be high and you should check howmuch this arrangement will cost.

Buyingwith

someoneelse

IF YOU WISH TO BUY a home you may be able to borrow money to do this. Thisis called a mortgage. The loan is for afixed period, called a term and you haveto pay interest on the loan. If you do notkeep up the agreed repayments, thelender can take possession of theproperty.TTyyppeess ooff mmoorrttggaaggeess

In the world of mortgages, there are several types available. The mostcommon ones are described below:RReeppaayymmeenntt mmoorrttggaaggee

This is a mortgage in which the capitalborrowed is repaid gradually over theperiod of the loan. The capital is paid inmonthly installments together with anamount of interest. The amount of capital whichis repaid gradually increases over the yearswhile the amount of interest goes down.

In Barbados this is the most common typeof mortgage.

IInntteerreesstt--oonnllyy mmoorrttggaaggeeWith this type of mortgage, you pay

interest on the loan in monthly installments tothe lender. Instead of repaying the loaneach month, you pay into a long-terminvestment or savings plan whichshould grow enough to clear theloan at the end of the mortgageterm. However, if it doesn’t grow asplanned, you will have a shortfalland you will need to think aboutways of making this up.

•A popular type of interest-only mortgage is endowment mortgage. This mortgage is made up of two parts – the loan from the lender and an endowment policy taken out with an insurancecompany. You pay interest on the loan in monthlyinstalments to the lender but do not actually pay offany of the loan. The endowment policy is paid

monthly to an insurance company.At the end of the mortgage

term, the policy matures andproduces a lump sum

which should pay offthe loan to the

lender. In somecircumstances, an

endowment policymay produce anadditional lump sum.However, there isalso a risk that itwill not be worthenough to pay offthe loan at theend of the

mortgage term. Ifyou have been told by

your endowment provider that your policy willnot be enough to pay off your loan, you should seekindependent financial advice.

WWhheerree ttoo ggeett aa mmoorrttggaaggee A mortgage could be available from a number of

different sources. Some of the available options are:-

• banks• insurance companies.• specialised mortgage companies• credit unions

UUssiinngg aa bbrrookkeerr ttoo ggeett aa mmoorrttggaaggeeInstead of going directly to a lender for a

mortgage, a broker could be used. A broker may bean estate agent, or a mortgage or insurance broker.They will act as an agent to introduce people to asource of mortgage loan to help them buy a home.

You may want to use a broker because it can saveyou time shopping around. However, some lendersoffer products direct to customers which a brokermay not be in a position to offer. So, it may be bestto shop around to see what else is available.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 5

Mortgagemade

easy

MAKE SURE that your home isinsured. Once contracts areexchanged you are responsible forthe property.

You can get information oninsurance from your mortgage lenderor attorney.

The final contract between you andthe seller is prepared when:

•the attorney and you aresatisfied with the final outcome ofall the enquiries•any surveyor’s report has beenreceived and necessary actiontaken•the formal mortgage offer hasbeen received

•arrangements about thepayment of the 10 per cent deposithave been made•the date of completion has beenagreed.•you and the seller each have acopy of the final contract whichyou must sign. After these contracts are

exchanged, both you and the sellerare legally bound by the contract andthe sale of the house to go ahead. Ifyou drop out, you will most likely loseyour deposit.

Completion of the purchase usuallytakes place about four weeks afterexchange of contracts, although it can

be earlier. On the day agreed forcompletion:

•the mortgage lender releasesthe money•the deeds to the property arehanded over to your attorney.

•the seller must hand over thekeys and leave the property by anagreed time.The attorney will usually send their

account to you on, or soon after, thecompletion date.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 6

WHEN you decide to buya particular property youdo not necessarily haveto pay the price beingasked by the owners. You can offer less if, forexample, you think thereare repairs to be donewhich will be costly.

If the property is beingsold through an estateagent, you should tell theagent what you areprepared to pay for the

property. The estateagent will then put thisoffer to the owners.

If you submit a writtenoffer it will always bemade subject to contract.This means that you willnot be committed to thepurchase before findingout more about the stateof the property.

An oral offer, on theothern hand, is neverlegally binding.

Once your offer for theproperty has beenaccepted you will have toconsider the following:

•whether a holdingdeposit is payable•arranging amortgage•whether a survey isnecessary •who will do thenecessary legal work•whether you want tobuy with someone else

Ensure yourpropertyis covered

Bargaining always an option

IT’s a major investment so no effort should be spared to protect your new property.(FP)

YOUR GARDEN is an extension ofyour house, increasing your livingarea. This area can beenhanced by adding a patio areawith adjoining paths,making the surface area hardwearing and more suitablefor tables and chairs.

We all know that atChristmas time, we love to takeparticular care of our exteriorsurroundings.

Patio areas can be constructedfrom different material such as,irregular flagstones, uniformly cutstone, gravel, bricks tiles and wood –or use a selection of different materials.

Before you begin, see the following checklist:

• Consider your use of the area.Will it be an eating area, a play areafor children, an area close to thekitchen or in close proximity to electric outlets.

• Your patio does not have to benext to the house; it could be at theother end of the garden with aconnecting path.

• Consider the natural lighting.Where will the sun be at differenttimes of the day? Will you require

some partial shade on oneside of the patio?

• What shape and size would you like? Don’tconstruct something that is too big for the garden. If you are adding paths,consider their width.

• Choose a design thatenhances the garden, ratherthan one that is busy and distracting.

• Consider whether you want a modern or traditionalstyle.

• Think about colour schemes,

particularly will be using two or more materials

• How will you use the surface, will it be easily marked or stained?

• Will you want flowerbeds inyour patio to add extra colour anddimension?

• For quality work, it’s best tohire an expert to do your paving.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 7

Paving

way . . .the

WHEN CREATING YOUR PATH bear in mind the overall effect it will have on your garden, makingsure it will enhance the actual beauty. (GP)


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 8

WHETHER you’ve just moved intoyour dream house, or you’reenhancing your aged home, you canmake it look excellent during theChristmas season by following simpleand cost effective interior designs andusing the most basic furnishing.

Although you may need theservices of an interior designer, theforemost way of creating the base ofexcellent interiors is home furnishing.Selecting the rightfurniture accordingto a plannedfurnishing themecan create magic,and turn your homeinto a visitor'sdelight.

FFuurrnniisshhiinngg ttiippss ......ffoorr tthhee lliivviinngg rroooomm

Attractive furnishing matching withthe colour scheme of your home, canhelp in a significant way. Choosingyour sofas, beds, and other livingroom furniture in sync with the livingroom's colour scheme will create apositive impact. Nowadays, you canfind a variety of leather andupholstered living room furniture

options. Putting reading lamps besideyour living room sofas or in corners

beside your entertainment furniture isstill a great idea.

Furnishings makedifference ...... ffoorr tthhee bbeeddrroooomm

The bedroom is your haven ofrest. That’s why extreme comfort isnecessary for the body and theeyes.

There are varieties of idealbedroom furniture options that youcan choose. For a better idea of thebest-suited furniture, consult modernfurnishing experts. Most prominentfurniture manufacturers also providefree consultancy.

There are a few universal ideas,which help in improving the overalllook of any home. Some of the mostfavorite options include internalplants.

Plants give a greener andsoothing look to the place wherethey are used. Wall paintings arealso an ideal way to provide adifferent look to a modern home.

PUTTING

READING lamps

beside your living

room sofas or in

corners beside your

entertainment

furniture is still a

great idea. (RC)

To learn more, call 431-2800 or visit sagicorgeneral.com

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Coverage for your building and/or contents

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Unlimited replacement of external door locks

FREE property inspections & evaluations

All this and more from a company you’ve come to know and trust.

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OCTOBER 29, 2010, 9

OUTDOOR SHUTTERSare a great way to add a touch of character, or nostalgia to manyhomes. And what bettertime to add shutters thanduring the Christmasseason, when you aresprucing up your home.

Shutters can be used around theoutside edges of your windows toadd additional colour and detail to the exterior of your home; also,during heavy rain or wind storms,they can be used to help protectglass windows. When shopping for outdoor shutters, there are anumber of options you need toconsider: One size doesn’t fit all.

Take time to measure yourwindows. You’ll need to know theheight and width of the windows forwhich you wish to install the outdoorshutters. Choosing an outdoor shutterthat is compatible with your window,and its size, is also essential.CChhoooossee aa MMaatteerriiaall

There are several types ofmaterials from which to choose, whenit comes to outdoor shutters. Commontypes are: aluminum, fibreglass, vinyland wood. Wooden shutters give

your house a well-crafted look, andare the most expensive. Vinyl shuttersare generally the cheapest.CCoooorrddiinnaattee yyoouurr ccoolloouurrss

Make sure to choose a shuttercolour that complements the presentcolour of your house. You should alsoconsider if you want the shuttercolours to standout or to simply blendin with the present colours of yourhouse.

Shuttersadd class

WINDOW SHUTTERS can be used forpractical reasons and, if stylishly designed,can complement your home. (GP)

PART OF sprucing up for Christmas isensuring you have a solid, new bed onwhich to sleep.

The average person spends nearlyone-third of their life asleep. This makesyour bed one of the most importantpurchases for the home.

The bed needs to be comfortable,and a big part of mattress comfort isthe size. The bed should allow enoughroom for you to turn over and be longenough that your feet do not hang overthe end.

The size of the bed should also be in

proportion to the size of the bedroom.When shopping for a bed, make sure itis not the only piece of furniture thatcan fit in the room.

HHeerree aarree ssoommee ttiippss::Measure the area where you want to

put the bed. This can help determinewhether you need a twin, full, queen-or king-size mattress.

Measure any doorway or hallwaybetween the front door and thebedroom. The layout of some homesmay not facilitate a queen- or king-size

bed to pass through.Visit a mattress or furniture store

to see what is available. It is alsoa good idea to compare prices atthis time if you are on a budget.

Try out the beds in the showroom.If you are sharing the bed with aspouse, note the amount of spacethey will need.

Double check the measurementsof the bed before you make yourpurchase. Some companiesproviding discounts or sale pricesmay not accept returns.

YOU SPEND more than one-third of your lifein bed. It’s our comfort after a long day atwork and our prison when we’ve got the flu.We relax on it, watch TV and sometimes eatin it. Breakfast in bed makes it all the moredelicious. So of course, you want your bed tobe comfortable, and also reflect who you arestylistically. It all starts with choosing bedlinens.

What do you look for when purchasingsheets and pillowcases? Do you like animpeccably-made bed, free from wrinkles? Isprice range your main concern? Is it time toswitch your linens with the seasons? Maybeyou want luxurious bedding that feelsamazingly smooth on your skin,regardless of the price.

All these are factors to bear inmind when choosing bed linen.Of course, you’ll want to havematching curtains, or at the least,curtains in colours which blend inwith the bed linen.

When choosing bed linen, youmay not have to go tooexpensive, but don’t be cheapeither. You want linen, which isdurable and easy to wash.

In addition, always choose thehigher count threads.

Here’s a look at the variouslinens available:

• EEggyyppttiiaann CCoottttoonn LLiinneennss::Feel softer than any other cotton,generate less lint and are themost durable. Egyptian cottontends to be more expensive.

• PPiimmaa CCoottttoonn LLiinneennss:: Exceptionally soft, strong and durable cotton developed fromEgyptian cotton.

• MMooddaall LLiinneennss:: Natural fibre made of 100 per cent beechwood cellulose. This fibre isexceptionally soft, 50 per cent more absorbentthan cotton and dries faster than cotton.

• LLyyoocceellll LLiinneennss:: Manufactured fibre madefrom trees. These are soft, strong and absorbent.

• PPoollyyeesstteerr LLiinneennss:: Polyethylene terephthalate(PET) is the most popular. These are strongsynthetic fibres that resist shrinking, stretching,mildew, abrasion and wrinkling.

• SSiillkk SShheeeettss:: Silk sheets are sexy and smoothbut high maintenance. If you plan to use themregularly, be sure you can afford the dry cleaningbill that will come with them.

In addition, colour choice can affect the feel ofyour room. Compliment the colour of your wallswith something in the same family, or go for reallybold for a bright contrast.

• For something a little more funky, animalprint linens can be a popular choice.

• If you’re enhancing a kid’s room, there areplenty of fun designs. Bright colours and floraldesigns work well with a girl’s room.

• For boys, sports linens, camouflage print, orsheets covered in their favourite superheroes willmake them happy.

• For something more romantic, satin is agreat way to go. Some white or red satin sheetswill set the mood.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 10

Sleep incomfort

and style

Tips for successful bed buying

I’M SURE YOU will agree that there is something special about lights atChristmas time.

And while electric lighting is more consideredduring this time of the year, there are differenttypes of lighting designs you could have at home.Natural lighting can give you so much more benefits.

Daylight not only improves the general lightcondition in your home, but is also a way to helpthe environment in minimising energy consumption;thus your electric bill can be lowered.

Your eyesight can benefit as well. Theseadvantages brought about by natural lighting canbe achieved through simple steps.

You are fortunate if you have a home equippedwith huge openings, transparent fibre glasscanopies, or wide spaces.

The light coming from the sun can easilypenetrate any room in your house. But if yourspace is relatively small, there are quick tips thatcan aid to maximise natural lighting.

Firstly, modify the windows, and always put upthe curtains or blinds whenever there is daylight.

There are different types of shades and blindsthat both showcase the qualities of UV protectionand high light penetration. Some samples of these are bamboo blinds, bottom-up or top down shades.

Improving the natural lighting in your home cannot only be through the means of installing new fixtures. You can do soby painting your walls with colours that brighten any room.

Re-arranging furniture and appliances can also help augment the light coming through the windows. Make sure that none of these items block the windows.

For example in the living room, avoid puttingthe sofa, shelves or other furniture pieces directlynext to these openings.

Also, add mirrors in as many areas as possible.

More light can be distributed in an entire areawhen the outdoor light bounces off the mirrors.

You can have floor-to-ceiling mirrors, mirrorpanels installed, paned windows or picture frames.These decorative pieces can also heighten theappeal of your house.

If you have an ample budget, consider installing skylights.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 11

Lighting thenatural way

NATURALLIGHTING is good

for the environmentnot to mention the

fact that it willreduce energy

consumption and byextension your

electric bill. (GP)

HOMEIMPROVEMENT is aneminent part of theupkeep of anyproperty. Whether it isfor your personal use,getting your propertyready for sale, or forthe Christmas holidayspruce up,landscaping plays avital role in upgradingthe looks of yourhouse.

For many, the ideaof landscaping can beseen as an expensiveproject. It is true, as youhave to study the soilculture, climate of thearea, horticulture and soon. These usually requireprofessional help, but ifyou enjoy gardening andlook forward tobeautifying your home’sexterior then you can doit yourself.

First, identify the areawhich needs to be workedupon. Take a look at yourhouse from the street,note the area in yourgarden which acts as thefocal point and enhance.By doing this you will besuccessful in drawing theattention of people to thisplace.

You can easily make afocal point in your gardenby arranging colourfulflowering plants andgreenery in such amanner that they attractmaximum attention. Useseasonal flowers for thispurpose. Add lots ofbright colours, and feelfree to increase theappeal by placingcolourful pots and stones,or by using pottingbenches for flowerarrangement.

Maintenance of lawnsis also an integral part oflandscaping. You have toconstantly keep mowingand watering to maintain

the greenery. Neatlytrimmed lawns alwayslook appealing, althoughkeeping the grass greenthroughout the year is

pretty difficult. Remember, if it looks

good outside, then otherswould want to ventureinside.

WHAT'S happening underyour feet?

Are you feelingcomfortable with just tiles,carpet, wooden floor, or doyou want to add some styleto your home décor thisChristmas by settling forsome new rugs?

Chances are you alreadyhave a combination of allthese in various rooms inyour home.

Whether you have carpet,tile, wood or laminatedflooring, you may wish topurchase an area rug forthat exotic look. Adding anarea rug to any room is away to add texture, colour,shape and variety to yourdesign. With many shapes,sizes, colours, patterns andmaterials to choose from,you may find it difficult tochoose which area rug toadd to your home. Choosingthe size of rug to get is thefirst and most important stepin buying an area rug.

Look at the furniture in theroom where you would liketo put the rug. Take note ofhow many pieces of furnitureor accessories (frames,clocks, mirrors) are"masculine”, meaning squareor rectangular with sharpedges. Take note of howmany pieces of furniture oraccessories in the room are"feminine", meaning roundor oval in shape.

A bold colour orpatterned rug should nottake up the entire room.

Choose a small rug andsurround it with your biggestpieces of furniture if this isthe case.

Remember that your rugshould accentuate yourroom, not over power it.

In addition, if you’rechoosing a rug for yourliving room, choose onewhich allows your feet torest comfortably and not onewhere you have to fight forspace when dining.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 12 13

MAYBE YOU’VE experienced it before, or you knowsomeone who has.You go into a home furniture store and you seewhat you believe is the right kind of furniture.

It may be a lovely sofa suite, with the rightmatching accessories. However, when you take ithome, there’s trouble getting it through the door.Alas, it’s also too big for your living room.

Yes, bad choices like this happen to the best ofus. So the first lesson we can learn when choosingany kind of furniture, is to know the available spacewe have.

As you choose your furniture for your new homeand the upcoming Christmas make-over of yourhome, remember that modern day furniture for yourliving room must be functional. That’s why manyhotels and resorts place sofa beds in their suites.

Also, you should choose furniturewhich can be easily cleaned, and whichis durable, bearing in mind that yourliving room is the showcase for yourhome décor, and what you choose nowwill be around for years to come. Hereare some tips on choosing living roomfurniture to build an enduring showcasefor your home décor.

FFlleexxiibbiilliittyyFlexibility should be one of your main

priorities when choosing your living roomfurniture. Prominent furniture pieces suchas sofas and upholstered chairs aremajor investments.

Look for colours and shapes that willcomplement a variety of decorative stylesand provide you with lasting value foryour money. That way when your homedécor needs updating a few years later,you can focus your budget on smaller and lessexpensive decorative accessories.

Avoid prints in favour of modern, neutral colours.If you like the shapes of your living room furniturepieces, you can always employ a stylized slipcoverto capture the trendy look of the moment, andaccentuate with vases, area rugs, and artwork.

SSuubbttlleettyyMost guides to choosing living room furniture will

instruct you to select a visual focal point. Theproblem is that modern electronics often do that foryou. A giant flat-screen television is going tocommand attention regardless of where you place it,and that will detract from the living room furnitureyou’ve so painstakingly chosen.

Wooden television cabinets are a superb way tohide stereos and televisions when they’re not in use,enhancing the subtlety and sophistication of yourliving room décor.

Living roomworth specialthought

Getting it right with the rug

Lovely landscapes

increase appeal

CREATING a focal area in your gardendraws attention to your property. (Internet

Picture)

THE WEED WACKER isan invaluable tool whenit comes to groomingyour lawn. (RC)

VASES (above) and otherobjets d’art (below) canbe used the accentuatethe décor in your livingroom. (RC)

COLOUR, PATTERN, SIZE AND SHAPE are some of the key factors to consider when selecting the right rug for your room. (FP)

THERE ARE LOTS of different typesof entry doors to consider when it comes to purchasing a new one.Factors to consider when making a choice include budget, looks anddurability.

Replacing your entry door canreally do so much for your overallimpression, especially when familyand friends visit at Christmas, that it would be worthwhile to put a littleextra thought and consideration into this choice.

There are three basic different types from which to choose:

SStteeeell ddoooorrssPopular and inexpensive, they

require little maintenance.

FFiibbrreeggllaassss ddoooorrssThese can be more pricey,

expensive models look like naturalwood, but won't warp or rot.

WWoooodd ddoooorrssWood doors can be expensive,

but also look really nice. Theyrequire maintenance and upkeep inorder to stay in good condition.

You can find prehung exteriordoors at most places which sellwindows and doors. Make sure to take along your measurementsand sketch showing which directionthe door swings.

Also, pick out hardware such asdoor knobs, handles and deadboltsbefore ordering the door, if thesedo not come with the actual door.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 14

Impress atthe door

IF YOU HAVE an attractive kitchen that is veryfunctional, it will definitely increase your home’svalue. Hence, it pays to do minor remodelling notonly for aesthetic purposes but of course, toimprove the overall monetary value of the house.Among the most prominent features of a kitchenare the appliances used in cooking as well as inpreserving food.

Select the types of appliances with brands thathave already proven their worth in the market.This will save you money in the long run, ratherthan having to buy new appliances within monthsafter the purchase.

Each of your appliances should have thefeatures you require to enable you to performeveryday tasks efficiently such as your washingmachine or dishwasher. The same principle appliesto all your kitchen appliances.

In addition, when selecting your oven, considerwhether you want gas or electric.

The colour, style and design of your appliancesare important, since they will determine theappearance of your kitchen. For a contemporarykitchen you could choose built-in kitchenappliances to create aminimalist feel, withsplashes of bright colourin accessories. Chromeor stainless steel is very popular these days. They are stylishand maintain theirappearance over time.

Your refrigerator isalso a main appliance,and there are manystyles to choose from.You may have a smallkitchen which doesn’thave much space for a large refrigerator, so you could consider a separate fridge andfreezer which will fitunder your worktop, ora slim line fridge freezerthat will fit into a tightspace.

Before deciding the style kitchen, knowwhich kitchen appliancesare necessary to youand which features youwill find essential. Yourchoice will depend uponthe size of your kitchenand the time you willspend there.

CHRISTMAS always seems the perfecttime to enhance the kitchen. Since manyof us do lots of entertaining around thistime, we want to be sure that our kitchen– often referred to as the heart of thehome – is clean, tidy and functional.

The kitchen is where we spend timepreparing meals, eating, helping ourchildren with their homework, or chattingwith friends and family. Simply put, thekitchen is one of, if not, the mostimportant room in your house, which isprecisely why you should spend time and money making sure it looks its best.

Here’s something to consider: doesyour kitchen already have great bones?Meaning, are the cabinets stylish, are the

countertops granite and are theappliances stainless steel? If not, youshould spend your time and moneyupgrading your kitchen.

If you already have great bones toyour kitchen, you may just need to get ridof the clutter and consider whether or notyour kitchen is stylish and inviting. Do youfeel like you’ve walked into the pages ofa magazine when you enter your kitchen?You can enhance stylishness by addingdetails which can be as simple as addingbeautiful glass bowls full of colourful fruitand vases of flowers.

Another key to enhancing your kitchenis to change it up often. In doing so it willkeep the room fresh and inviting.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 15

Enhancing your kitchen

Choosing the right

appliances

A WELL LAID OUT kitchenmakes cooking evenmore enjoyable. (FP)

ADDING just the rightaccents to your bathroomcan have a surprisingimpact on the look andfeel of the space.Choosing towels madefrom materials, colours,and textures that youlove adds a littlesomething extra to theroom, increasing yourcomfort and making itfeel truly yours.

The perfect bed linensand towels can makeguests feel welcome andmake you feel more athome.

At Christmas morefriends and familymembers visit your home,some for extendedperiods, so having a fullystocked bathroom isessential. You do notwant to run out of soap,body baths, oils, airfresheners or towels.

Here are a few tips:

If you or your guestsare heading out for aday at the beach, youdon’t want to forget yourtowel! Beach towelsserve two main purposes:to absorb water and toprovide a large surfacearea for you to lie on.

Then ensure you haveenough soft, warm bathand hand towels for aftera relaxing bath orshower.

Although the primarypurpose for hand towelsis for drying wet hands,they can also be used forcleaning and as a sweattowel at the gym. Eitherway, hand towels aregreat for absorbingmoisture.

Washcloths areprimarily used whilebathing. A soft washclothand soap is a must forshowers and baths.Spruce up your bathroom

by setting out baskets ofcolourful washcloths.

Other bathroomaccessories will be yourshower curtain, which

should blend well withthe various colours of thebathroom, the bathroommats and various piecesof bathroom furniture.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 16

Brighteningthe bathroom

BRIGHTEN UP your bathroom with colour co-ordinated accessories. (RC)

OUR ELECTRICITY BILLS areundoubtedly the highest of all bills inthe home. There are ways to cutdown on the amount of electricity weuse – during Christmas, and even onthe average day.

Let’s introduce you to some ofthem:

TTiipp NNoo.. 11DDoonn’’tt lleeaavvee eelleeccttrriiccaall aapppplliiaanncceess oonn ssttaannddbbyy..

Many of us use the remote toswitch off the television or stereo,leaving the appliance running on standby.

This actually means the applianceis still using up electricity and wastesa considerable amount of energy. By switching off at the main powerbutton, or even the socket, you’ll save both energy and money.

Items left on standby use up to 85 per cent of the energy theywould use if fully switched on.

TTiipp NNoo.. 22DDrryy ccllootthheess oouuttssiiddee iiff ppoossssiibbllee..

Electric tumble dryers arecommonly the second biggest energy user in the home, after therefrigerator. They are used a lot less,but still utilise a huge amount ofelectricity when switched on.

You can avoid frequent use of the dryer by line drying clothes,and using the dryer when it rains.

If you need to use the dryer,ensure the clothes are as dry aspossible after washing. This willreduce drying time considerably.

TTiipp NNoo.. 33UUssee eenneerrggyy ssaavviinngg lliigghhttbbuullbbss..

In most homes, about 10 to 15 per

cent of the electricity bill is forlighting. Energy saving light bulbs cancut your costs considerably.Traditional bulbs waste lots of energyby turning it into heat but energysaving bulbs work in the same wayas fluorescent lights.

They are more expensive thantraditional bulbs, but they last over10 times longer and use up to fourtimes less energy. Where you woulduse a 100w ordinary bulb, you would only need a 20-25w energysaving bulb.

TTiipp NNoo.. 44AAllwwaayyss sswwiittcchh ooffff bbuullbbss iinn tthhee rroooomm

No matter what type of lightingyou are using, always turn the lightsoff when you leave a room. UUssee ssoollaarr lliigghhttss iinn yyoouurr ggaarrddeenn

There are a number of differentsolar powered lights for use in thegarden. These lights are highlyenergy efficient and convenient. Theydo not require external extensionleads or special electric fittings.

The solar cells convert the sun’senergy into electricity, as they chargeup during the daylight and light up asit gets dark. Although they are nothugely bright, they are less intrusivethan electric lights and look nice inthe flowerbeds.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 17

USING energy-saving bulbs (top) and line drying clothes are two ways you can conserve energyin the home. ((GGPP))

((FFPP))

Energysaving tips

DECORATING YOURHOME for Christmas canbe fun and exciting, yetdaunting at the sametime.

Some people gooverboard with lights,decorations, andfestivities, while otherslike a more simplistic wayof creating their ownholiday masterpiece.From trimming the tree todecorating your houseand yard, Christmasdécor can be done inmany different ways.

One of the mostcommon types of outdoorand indoor adornmentsfor the holidays is lots ofgreenery. Garlands andtrees are decorated withshiny bells, glass balls,and the now-popular LEDChristmas icicle lights.These lights providebright, beautifulillumination for indoor oroutdoor décor, and aremuch safer than othertypes of Christmas lightsthat can potentially catchfire or burn out quickly.

LED lights have a muchlonger life span and areless likely to becomebroken or dull over theyears. These lights comein many different styles,lengths, and colours.

If you are like mostpeople, you want toexpress your sense ofpride in your home byaccenting the colours thatare already there, sochoosing a solid coloursuch as blue, green, red,or white is for them.

Other people want toshow their sense ofindividuality and wantlights that blink, chaseeach other about, orflash in coloured patterns.A great way to displaylights for the holidays isto create a design withthe lights and build otherdecorations around them.

LED lights use far lessenergy than traditionalChristmas lights. Theyalso better withstand therigours of being taken

down and put in storagethan other types oftemporary lighting due tothe durability of thematerial with which theyare made. Some peopleleave their lights up year-

round, only to find thatthey are burnt out orbroken after the year'sexposure to the elements.When using LED lights,the probability ofbreakage is much less

than with more fragilelight bulbs.

By using LED Christmasicicle lights, you candecorate more efficientlyby reducing thereplacement of bulbs, fire

hazards, and energy use.These unique lights canbe used on trees,garlands, and houses tocreate the perfectindividualised atmosphere

for your holidaydecorating needs. Theyhave a brighter, moreintense light and lastmuch longer than othertypes of holiday lights.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 18

LEDs cast newlight on decorating LED

decorativelights.

(Internet picture)

WHENPURCHASINGor constructinga home thesedays, manypeople take intoconsideration the importanceof having a home officeand/or home theatre.

The world of technology isconstantly changing. Wi FiInternet access and cabletelevision are no longerluxuries for the few. Theyare necessary for all and sundry.

It is no wonder then that evensocial media such as FFaacceebbooookkand TTwwiitttteerr – among others,have signalled increasedsales in computers, the I-phone and the Blackberrytelephones.

More and more peopleare recognising thatadapting to this newtechnological age could mean bringing some changes to their homes.

A home theatre receiver isone of the most important piecesof equipment you can buy.

This receiver is also known as an AV receiver, or surroundsound receiver, because itincludes the majority of theinputs and outputs required for setting up the home theatre system, from speakers to the television set itself.

A good receiver will serve asa tuner for receiving AM/FMand satellite radio, as well ashigh definition radio. It willcontrol the different audio and video sources that can be used, including the DVDplayer, the CD player, and the VCR. It will also comeequipped with a multi-channel

amplifier for the transmission ofsurround sound signals. Be sureand check out the power ratings of thisamplifier. Higher wattagecapability per channel does not automatically equal better sound.

The overall sound level of the receiver is critical to the quality of your home theater experience.

A factor called continuouspower is also important. This isthe capability of the receiver towork to its fullest power over an extended period of time.

Continuous power is indicatedby the acronym RMS. The RMSwill give you the powercapability of the component,including its potential forgenerating sound at variouslevels over an extendedduration.

A HOME THEATRE RECEIVER will enhance the quality of your audio and videoexperiences. (GP)

19WEEKEND NATION

SPECIAL. FRIDAY,OCTOBER 29, 2010,

IF YOU WISH to impress your guests and familywith your home décor it is always better to opt forsomething unique, innovative, anddifferent from the conventional.

The pieces that you use foryour walls, to decorateyour table tops, andcabinets, play a vitalrole in determiningthe overall look ofyour home’sinteriors. When aperson enters aroom, the firstthing they usuallyrest their eyes on,is the walls ofyour room.

You can choosebeautiful pictures,tapestry and otherwall hangings, whichwill add a sense ofelegance, grace, and aunique artistic flavour to anyform of room setting.

There are a variety of stores whichoffer exotic ornaments. Some can be bold, andcolourful, while others are not as dramatic, yet givingcharm to the various rooms in your home – dining,living, kitchen, bathroom and even your own “athome office”, allowing you to accentuate the interiorsof your modern home with an aristocratic touch.

At times, rather than choose paintings, individualsmay go for tapestry.

In comparison toconventional

paintings andphotographs,

tapestry wallhangings can offer a

more appealing homedécor which is bound to lure

the attention of visitors. Art walltapestries in a variety of shapes, sizes,

styles, and themes, can create differentcultures in your home. For instance, what ifyou prefer a Chinese theme or an Africantheme?

Other popular tapestries can include Frenchtapestries, European, religious tapestries or medievaltapestries – the choices are plentious.

With their wall hangings, dainty designs and

appearance tapestries or bold ornamental pieces canbe used as central display items to attract thecompliments of the onlookers and leave visitors andfamily gasping in awe and wonder with your choiceof home décor accessories.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 20

Eye-catchingaccentsenhancedécor

ORNAMENTAL PIECES such as these serve not

only to accentuate the décor of your home but

can also form the subject of conversation when

guests drop by.

(Pictures by Rawle Culbard)

IT HAS BECOME quite common over the years, to set up an office at home.

Whether you’re a business person, or an individual who just wants the comfort of working from home some days, or simply a place where you can be creative, a home office is fast becoming a necessity.

You must know that working on a sofa or on your bed results in laziness, procrastination,and sometimes a sore back or shoulders whichhurt. If you have set up a home office or are about to do so, having office furniture ismandatory. Your at home office furniture shouldcreate the atmosphere of an actual workplace,which will also encourage you to work.

Furniture of every kind and type is easilyavailable today. You have myriad options inshapes, colours and designs of tables, shelfs,and desks, that can be used for differentpurposes. But you must consider the followingbefore shopping for home office furniture:

• Consider the availability of space, thendecide what kind of furniture you should buy.Compact modular home office furniture is bestsuited in smaller rooms.

• Necessity of any furniture is alsoimportant. Make a list of things that you requirebefore shopping for home office furniture, else,you will end up with unwanted pieces offurniture.

• Along with your budget, keep in mind thatusefulness is more important than image.

Above all, if your job entails working on acomputer, having a trendy computer table willbe enough. There are also double desk andshelfs available if the modular home office ismeant for two.

Remember that a garage, basement, orspare room can be converted into a homeoffice. You can also decorate your home officeto add your style and personal touch, creatinga perfect and encouraging ambiance for workat home.

Makingyour

homeyour

office


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 21

MORE PEOPLEare opting to

work from homefor comfort as

well asconvenience.

(GP)


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 22

WHO WANTS to see a poorly painted building,especially during the yultide?

Our lives are getting very busy, and with thatcomes very little time to maintain housingprojects such as painting. It is much moreconvenient to hire a painting contractor to get ahigher quality paint job, as opposed to a do-it-yourself project.

How do you go about hiring a paintingcontractor whom you can trust to get the jobdone correctly.

Look first within your circle of friends orfamily. Your co-workers might also havesuggestions about professional painters.Youshould examine the work done on their house todetermine if it is the quality that you want.

Customer satisfaction is very important whenchoosing a professional through references.While quality of work is important, the way theytreat their customers is also key. You want to picka professional who is pleasant and courteous;one who will answer all your queries.

You should also ask if the contractor usuallyarrives at the job on time.

If your friends, co-workers, or family have norecommendations, try inquiring from a person ata paint store, since that’ s where professionalpainters will purchase their supplies.

After getting your list of prospective paintingcontractors, call each one and ask a lot ofquestions.

Once you have made your choice, ask for awritten proposal of what will be done during thejob and what products the painter will be using.This should include the amount charged for thesurface preparation, the type which will be used,the caulking, and the brand of paint being used.A professional painter will also have adescription of the paint manufacturer’ s productline.

The proposal should also list how many coatsof paint will be applied to finish the job. Go withyour gut instinct about which professional painterto choose. The only way to truly tell if the personis reliable is to have a face-to-face meetingbefore committing to any project, and never payfor the entire job up front.

Compliments Harris Paints

Chooseyourpainterwisely

RELIEVEYOURSELF ofthe stress and atthe same timeensure yourselfof a higherquality job byhiring aprofessional tohandle yourholiday spruceup paint job. (FP)

AN IMPORTANT ASPECT of owning or even renting a home is home security.

Your home should be so secured that intruderswon’t be able to get in. At Christmas time, thetemptations for intruders todo so, mounts even higher.

While bolts and lockswork well, there are different security systems that you can choose.

Here are some facts that a lot of consumers want to know regarding homealarms, how these systemswork and the advantages of having one set up in your home.

It is impractical to assertthat having home alarms,even one that is top-of-the-line will totally ensure thatyour home will not beburglarised.

It is still a better idea tohave a home security systemset up in your home. Basedon statistics, a criminal is lesslikely to break into a home

that has a home alarm.Cellular Alarm Monitoring

is a type of security servicethat a lot of securitycompanies are now offeringto their consumers. Forpeople who do not have aphone line, companies canuse VOIP or cellular radioand provide alarmmonitoring services forpeople who need it. You get to save money withoutworrying about your phonebill or being concernedabout monitoring fees fromyour security company.

The fact remains that

security companies ingeneral cannot promise thattheir home alarm systems willwork at 100 per centefficiency all the time withVOIP phone services. Therehave been companies whohave successfully done soand it is better to make sureof this before you avail ofthis type of service.

It is still better to usecellular radio as analternative to using VOIPphone services. Choosing toinstall a cellular radio or alandline as a way for yourphone service to work with

your home security is a more viable option that can generate better resultsover time.

Close circuit television,guard dogs and manned

security are other means of securing your home.

But, however you choose to secure yourhome, just make surethat you do.


OCTOBER 29, 2010, 23

Secureyour investment

SETTING UP A home security system is a good way to deter intruders.(FP)

Printed and Published by THE NATION PUBLISHING Company LTD., Nation House, Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados. Telephone (246) 430-5400

smart homes october 2010

Documents

chief townplanner

theprinciple of thedevelopment

start of thedevelopment

notunrestricted development

certain classesof development

yourbuilding plans

erecta building

outline applicationis