Choosing the right bar stool

If you are interested in purchasing bar stools, keep seat heights in mind:

Bar Height

Stools and tables that are "bar height" generally have seats that are 30" high, and a table top that is 40-42" high. Stools of this height are generally referred to as bar stools or bar height stools".

Counter Height

Stools and tables that are "counter height" generally have seats that are 24-26" high, and a table top that is 36" high. Stools of this height are generally refered to as counter stools. Also be sure to allocate for arm rest accordingly. Generally allowing 28" in width for elbow room and swivel space and for seating. Happy drinking!

A sweet New Year

We are so blessed and thankful for what we have. We cherish our time with the boys this past summer in Beaver Creek, Colorado. We wish for you a year full of health, happiness and laughter.

Tank-less Water Heaters

Mobius T-M1 by Takagi.com
About the size of a medicine cabinet, tankless water heaters can easily be wall-mounted indoors, or depending on the climate, there is even a recessed outdoor installation option. Some models are available with digital wall-mounted controls and even waterproof remote controls that make it easy for users to adjust the temperature as often as they wish for convenience as well as safety. If you're designing luxury bathrooms, it's good to know the basics about tankless water heaters, because you're likely to get a lot of questions.
Following are some that are most frequently asked and their responses: Q: Will a tankless water heater save on my clients' energy bills? Is it expensive to install? A: Tank and tankless water heaters do their jobs differently. One of the most prized benefits of tankless heaters is that users are purposely matching the use of energy to the use of hot water. It's pretty much pay as they go. Average annual operating costs for a tankless unit are about $165 to $170, or roughly half the annual operating cost of tank heaters.

Q: Will a tankless water heater bring hot water to my clients' showers faster? A: Regardless of whether it is a tank, tankless or solar-type water heater, delays in hot water delivery have to do with how far the water heater is located from the hot water outlet, not the type of water heater. Tankless water heaters often do solve this issue because of their smaller size, which enables them to be located closer to the point of use. Another solution is a point-of-use water heater. Point-of-use heaters are actually smaller tank units that are located near the hot-water outlet, such as under a sink. They are often used to augment larger tank-type water heaters that are located far from the point of use. A recirculating system is another option to discuss with your plumber partner.

Q: What is the payoff for kitchen and bath designers who learn to stop worrying and love water heaters? A: Ask Marcio Decker, winner of the Smartest Hot Water Use Award in the National Kitchen & Bath Association's 2008 Design Competition. "We are moving more and more into what is hidden behind the walls," he explained. "Now, more than ever, there is the need to create environments that are eco-friendly. Water use in the bath, and water heating specifically, are very important. We designers should collaborate with other professionals to make sure that energy efficiency is part of every project."

A hallway's 'natural' transformation

A bare 35 foot long hall gets a makeover and comes through with a warm and appealing personality. Custom-designed open columns and ledge serve as the break in the lengthy unending feeling this hallway suffered from. The double bridge-like columns were strategically placed as to break up the linear feel. The distressed mirror adds light and further enhances the papyrus on the river rock filled bud vases, which are two elements that help bring nature to a space without natural light. The dark espresso finish on the woodwork offer a contrast with the light colored walls and act as the balancing point for the home-owner's own artwork, which was relocated to the hallway.

This transitional space which serves as the main circulation space between the public and private spaces of this residential condominium in Aventura was a key element to the design of the entire home, as it is the main axis and sits right off the main entry doors. The palm leaf motif screening on canvas and the bamboo stalk rug add further natural elements to the space.

A time for prayer

We pray for a fast and full recovery for "aunt" Joan Hyler, who was severely injured las Friday evening when she was struck by a car as she was walking.
Joan is the one people lean on, count on and call on, the one who is always there, a great friend. A great sister to (my sister-in-law) Nancy and a the greatest aunt to all my nieces and nephews. R'fuah Shlemah for Joan bat Jane v' Jehoshua. Keep up the spirit of healing, you are in our prayers!

CHINA | 2008 BEIJING OLYMPIC GAMES

Commune hotel offers luxurious stay near Beijing

The Commune by the Great Wall is communal living in a lush, historic setting complete with spa and other amenities.

The Commune by the Great Wall is a hotel with award-winning architecture, a luxurious spa and, perhaps most valuable of all, a private path to a stretch of the Great Wall, one of the world's best-known landmarks.

Despite some communal aspects -- shared kitchens and living rooms in its huge villas -- the Commune by the Great Wall hardly calls to mind the money-saving, ruling class-disdaining life. Instead, it is an unforgettable weekend escape just an hour from the crowds, traffic and polluted skies of Beijing.

The Commune, now managed by the Kempinksi hotel group, calls itself a "collection of living contemporary Chinese and Asian architecture," and it won a prize at the 2002 Venice Biennale. It sits on almost 5 miles of mountain land; the 11 original villas each have four to six bedrooms and butler service. From hotels to the stadium, China wears it's finest. For this Olympic Games attention to design details shows even in the mundane objects like the lamps that light the path to the Birds Nest which echo the design of the stadium itself.

Sympathy for the devil

Not to be missed: JEAN-LUC GODARD'S -
"SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL"

See Jean-Luc Godard's documentary of the making of The Rolling Stones' hit "Sympathy for the Devil" at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). The film captures the Rolling Stones during their 1968 studio recording sessions for the album "Beggars Banquet" with interspersed scenes that probe the revolutionary and social politics of the time. The exhibition, Sympathy for the Devil: Art and Rock and Roll Since 1967, is on view at MOCA through September 7th with over 100 works by 56 artists and artist collectives. The film screening is free with museum admission. Art & music is alive and well in North Miami.

Daring to look (& step) beyond

Located in between Milan and Bergamo, in the city of Cavenago, is The Devero Hotel – a modern and chic four-star resort.



Shown here in the hotel’s restaurant is an interruption in the natural flow of flooring and ceiling: a glass skylight of sorts that allows for a peek beyond the restaurant to above the bar. Just the same as you are seated in the lounge you are lured to the floor below and intrigued by the sight of a MEDUSA chandelier in opaque white – the perfect spark of whimsy for this sleek, contemporary space.

Pergolas for the great outdoors

Over the last few years, the backyard living concept has evolved from a deck or patio area with a pool to true outdoor living spaces complete with full kitchens, eating, sitting and living areas. With this rise in the popularity of outdoor living spaces, it's no surprise that outdoor structures such as gazebos, arbors, trellises, pergolas are also more in demand. "People aren't looking for a simple outdoor space anymore. They're thinking in terms of defining spaces with walls, ceilings and roofs, but only in an open sense to blend with the outdoors," says Ernie Sears, president and owner of Backyard America in Virginia. Sears began his business as a building contractor specializing in outdoor structures, but since 1998 has been providing design services and fabricating kits for customers all over the country. "Pergolas have really taken off over the last few years," says Sears.

Likewise, Michael Mendelsohn, owner of Mendelsohn Construction in Scottsdale, Ariz., is also seeing his business grow as a result of more outdoor structures. "Every home I'm doing, we're enlarging the back patio areas — even after the plans are done. People want more multi-use living centers with TVs and full kitchens."

Most outdoor structures are some sort of variation or combination of a deck, patio, pergola, arbor, trellis or gazebo, and sometimes they may be of a custom design or even go by different names to reflect their function or region of the country (lanai, palapa, veranda). "These structures are all about expanding use," says Sears. "People want to get more useful hours per day and more useful days per year from the outdoor living spaces."

The same basic principles of design and construction apply as to the outdoor structures as it does the main house: use materials and design similar to those of the home to blend the two structures, make sure you follow all codes — especially those regarding setbacks and electrical/gas hookups, and choose materials and build carefully so that the structure will stand up to the elements. Where wind load is a concern, like it is in Florida, the structure needs to be properly anchored to the ground.