Tips & Tricks - Part 14

Furniture for Primary School Children

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It doesn’t matter how hard times get, people will spend money on their children. Parents will throw bus loads of money at anything they think will help their children perform better in school, to get ahead, to go to a better school, to get ahead, rinse and repeat.

perch ergonomic school furniture1 Furniture for Primary School Children

Simon Dennehy has something parents can buy their elementary school children for the coming school year. Furniture designed for elementary school children! It used to be that inventors came up with ideas, mass marketed them and hope it caught on somewhere. These days, niches are big enough to be mass marketed. Furniture for kids, primary school kids is a good idea nonetheless. This desk and chair set takes care of the correct posture and the correct chair height to ensure a healthy back and to reduce problems like poor digestion, nausea, headaches and poor circulation.

perch ergonomic school furniture3 Furniture for Primary School Children

Seriously. Why wouldn’t parents want what’s best for their kids so their kids can perform well? Ventilated slots in the seat and backseat, legs that protrude to the back, elbow rests, hollow-section polycarbonate rests, non-slip, easily-cleaned and the list can continue. Ergonomy for children in a practical way.Now, can they make kids study, too? – via Tuvie

perch ergonomic school furniture2 Furniture for Primary School Children

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Published by Alex Ion 17 Jul 2008 in Furniture, Tips & Tricks

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10 Things you Must Know before Renting an Apartment

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If you can’t afford buying an apartment, your solution is probably to lease. Though moving to a new apartment can be very exciting, finding a good one to rent could be a daunting task. There are things you should consider before the big step, so here are our ten picks to make sure you’re prepared before you sign your name.

apartments for rent

Apartment search

1. Set a budget.

Consider how much you can afford to pay and follow the “rule” not to exceed 30-percent of your monthly income. Focus your search according to your budget and though you may be forced to compromise when finding a bigger apartment in a better area, make sure it’s worth spending the extra money. If you’re looking for a cheaper place to rent, try roommate services to share an apartment, but make sure you know what types of people or habits you’d prefer to avoid.

2. Where to search?

Not going to use a broker’s services because of the extra cost the next thing is to look in the newspaper classifieds, apartment hunter publications, college campus bulletin boards or on the Internet. You’ll know the rental market much better and will will probably get yourself a better deal. Also tell your friends that you’re looking for an apartment to rent and maybe they know something in their buildings.

3. What to search for?

ukrainian village neighborhood

Take a sheet of paper and write them down your requirements list. Do you want a quiet building close to school or work, that allows pets and has free parking? How about a dishwasher machine or laundry facilities nearby?

You may also want to visit the neighborhood at various times of the day, night and weekend to see if it’s what you expected.

These all count when you decide where to live in for the next few months, if not years.

Finance and documents

Because the landlord wants to make sure you’re good with paying the monthly rent most of the times, you’ll most likely have to complete an application and pay for the application fees or for credit reports. Be prepared.

4. The renter’s resume.

Just like a CV for a job application, a renter’s resume should include all the information to make you stand out from other applicants and to convince the landlord that you’ll be a trustworthy tenant. Personal references, last addresses with landlord phone numbers, your monthly income or a copy of your credit report will make you look good on paper, which you need it.

5. What’s included?

It’s very important to know if the rent includes heating, water, electricity, cable or Internet connection but more important is to know what are the average utility bills in the building. Ask the landlord if you want to be make sure you won’t get crazy numbers on your bills.

6. Read before you sign

sign lease contract

A common mistake we usually make is not to read a contract before we sign. Obtain a copy of any rules and regulations, make sure you go through everything and before you sign the lease, check to see if these are mentioned:

The beginning and the expiration date
The rental price and information about your security deposit
What are the reasons for which your landlord can terminate your lease contract
Are there any penalties for moving out of your apartment before the expiration date?
Are there any responsibilities on your head for repairs and such?
Is subletting allowed ?
See if you have to buy renters insurance, because it will increase you total cost
Is there a policy about guest visitors?

7. Contract issues

It’s a big move so you have to make sure you’re covered on every aspect so never sign a lease without seeing the apartment even if it’s a bargain. Second of all, our advice is not to sign a contract that has an automatic renewal clause, because you may not know what’s going to happen next year. Maybe you change work or move to a new city and a renewed contract would only force you to pay even if you’re not living there.

Last thing and a very important if you enjoy privacy, keep away from a lease that gives the landlord unlimited access without notification. Tenants have their rights and a landlord should be permitted without notice only in case of emergencies.

Inspect the apartment

Most important thing when you inspect an apartment you plan to lease (or buy) is not to let the looks deceive you. Look for the “hidden” attributes and if there’s any damage ask for it to be repaired otherwise you may be blamed for it later.

studio apartment

8. What to look for

You like the price, the area is great, but you need to see where you’re going to live. Here are a few things to take a closer look at:

Pipes – be it gas, water or anything else, check for leaks.
Sink faucets, shower heads and water – make sure water (both cold and hot) really comes out of the faucets and the shower head and it’s with a decent pressure. Also the toilet has to flush properly and thoroughly.
Electricity and appliances should all be working. Check if all the lights or other electric devices are operational. Also check the air conditioner and the heater to see if they’re good for anything.
Walls and windows. Check the windows to see if they open, close and lock properly. Also inspect the walls. The more walls in common (shared with adjoining apartments), the greater the chance of noise from next door.
Noise. For a student, outside noise may be extremely disturbing and may interfere with learning. If it’s a highly trafficked area you may have problems concentrating and even sleeping.

Negotiate your lease

If everything went smooth, you like the apartment and the landlord likes you, it’s worth trying to negotiate a little bit.

9. Know your landlord

It’s very important to know some basic information about the landlord. If it’s a management company with thousands of apartments for rent it may be harder to negotiate, but if it’s a family and they just need to secure the income each month, you have a green light to close the deal with a small discount.

10. Get your deal

Read the lease carefully and see what applies and what doesn’t. If there are things in the lease you may not need or if you’re willing to take some responsibilities like cutting the lawn or taking deliveries kindly ask the landlord to lower the rent. Another way could be to offer a longer-term lease or a higher security deposit. A very important aspect of negotiating your lease is to be polite and not give ultimatums because you may get a quick negative answer.

Freshome readers probably have more tips to add to these, so why not tell us what you think in the comments below.

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Published by Alex Ion 28 May 2008 in Apartments, Tips & Tricks

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Interview with Mehdi Mojtabavi – The Love Mattress Designer

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In December 2007 we presented on Freshome an interesting product that a lot of people liked. That poduct is called the Love Mattress. I also liked this product so much that I’ve decided to contact Mehdi Mojtabavi, the designer of this innovative matress for an interview, and here it is, plus pictures at a higher quality, just in time …for Valentines Day …the Love Mattress.

Mehdi Mojtabavi

Freshome : Tell us a few things about Mehdi Mojtabavi (example: where you live, how old are you, education, and a brief introduction for our readers).
Mehdi Mojtabavi : I was born in 1974 in Mashhad a city in north east of Iran. I graduated in BA with a degree from the industrial design course at the Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) in Tehran. Now I live in Tehran and run my own design office, Gooyadesign.

Love Mattress

Freshome : We love the Love Mattress. Tell us a few words about this prject and how did you come up with this smart idea.
Mehdi Mojtabavi : It was a problem for me and had made busy my mind for awhile. I believe that lovely embracing specially between partners is one of the most calmative and continues situations. Embracing and body connection after lovemaking is very important for strengthening relationships. It causes feeling safe and shows a real love especially to females. (Ref. to sexual abuse in psychology) Nevertheless, what usually stops this pleasant state is not mental tiredness; it is physical weakness. Considering different body forms and sizes and sleeping styles, it seemed impossible to find a solution for this historical problem at the beginning. Developing some raw ideas and correcting them step by step made this concept. This is what usually happens when I design something.

Mattress

Freshome : We know that The Love Mattress is just a design concept right now, any chances to see the product in stores, or available somewhere?
Mehdi Mojtabavi : As you know there is a long way from conception to mass production. When a designer introduces a concept, it means there is no any similar product in the market. So you are not able to use other producer’s experiences. Mass Production itself has several steps from research to development and final engineering. Although Marketing planning can be done simultaneously, the whole process takes time any way. So be patient if you wish to have one.

Mattress

Freshome : How did you get into furniture/product design? How you came to be a designer?
Mehdi Mojtabavi : From childhood I discovered my ability in art, and used to do painting, sketching, cartoon, music, and what ever I could do in that area. I even used to make some musical instruments for awhile and used to spend my weekends and summers working in a decoration workshop for 3 years. All of these were before my eighteen years old. During those years I was in love with architecture and I was waiting impatiently for entrance to the architecture academy. When I get familiar with industrial design, I found it more practical and suitable for me. Today, although I still like architecture and other arts, I love and focus on product design. I believe that product design is the most complicated field of design. In fact, more complication causes more enjoy.

New Mattress

Freshome : Tell us a few things about your design philosophy and process.
Mehdi Mojtabavi : I gave a hint to complication of product design. I have to mention that this complication is an internal and hidden character for a product. I believe that what should appear in form and function is only simplicity. This simplicity is based on complication. Look at our body, extreme external simplicity comparing with extreme internal complication. Even in a single part well designed product, a professional can find numerous complicated details which an ordinary user doesn’t and shouldn’t feel them.This is my main philosophy in design.But what I design usually? Apart from clients’ projects, most of my designs are about our forgotten simple daily problems which I believe, changing the world can start easily from this point. Eslimi T-shirt hanger and Easy Tape dispenser are two other my award winning concepts which show my attitude.

ETH

Freshome : Where do you find your inspiration for design?
Mehdi Mojtabavi : Nature

Freshome : Any advice for others who want to work in this domain?
Mehdi Mojtabavi : Innovation will happen exactly when you come to a dead-end in your design. When you feel you have found the solution and your mind doesn’t work any more, this is when exactly you are passing whatever you have seen or experienced before. Here is the beginning of innovation.

Freshome : How is a day in Mehdi Mojtabavi life ?
Mehdi Mojtabavi : Well, I spend most of my time on design even weekends. Of course all of my activities are not necessarily financial. I go through the design books and websites to see good designs every day. This keeps my design sense up to date. I review design article titles and read one or two most interesting of them every week. Recently I spend a few hours a week on organizing our new society called ISPID (Iran Society of professional industrial designers) which aims pure design from professional designers’ point of view, not doctor-professor-theoreticians.

Freshome : Can you share a piece of wisdom with Freshome readers? Something of value that life thought you.
Mehdi Mojtabavi : The only thing in the world which I can trust to is “Science”.

Freshome : Tell us about other projects you are working on right now.
Mehdi Mojtabavi : At the moment I am working on a competition-project for an international company. They have invited some award winning designers to participate this project.

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Published by Michael 13 Feb 2008 in Tips & Tricks

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15 Tips To Decorate a Romantic Bedroom for Valentines Day

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Romantic Bedroom

Valentine’s Day is a day of celebration of love among lovers or couples. It is celebrated on 14th February every year. This day is named after 2 early Christian martyrs named Valentine. At the time when custom of courtly love began to amplify, this day became connected to romance and love. It all happened around the time of Geoffrey Chaucer in High Middle Ages. Today, this day is celebrated in almost every corner of the world, thanks to the great marketing and advertising. Moreover, it’s good to know that there occurs a day when lovers could possibly rekindle the old flame if the candles have burned out.

If you ask most of the people, they would reply that they do not believe in Valentine’s Day as everyday can be a valentine’s day and you do not need a day to celebrate this magnificent thing called love.But, then in this busy, competitive and cynical world, who gets the time to actually love their partner. Worst than that will be when your relationship is going through a rough patch. These are the things that every human will be facing as after all, we are humans and not divine creatures. At such inevitable times, this day comes to the rescue and serves as an auspicious moment when one could re-unite with their respective partners, forgetting everything else and putting your partner at the very center of your attention. Besides, this day will sprout branches of past memories when you made a promise that you will never leave your partner till death does you both apart.

Those days will be revived when you were a slave to your love’s charms. Time will be flowing like a river, wave after wave, quite unlike your daily hectic routine. These are some moments which will get etched in your memory for a lifetime. So, you must be thinking of the so many magical things that can occur on that day. One of the romantic “magical things” is the bedroom in which you can really spill the wine of love on your partner. So, here are some very important tips for how to decorate your bedroom on Valentine’s Day and treat your partner with serendipity.

Bedroom Romantic

1. Lighting can be very effective to spice up the romance in both of you. Also, keep the lighting not so sparkling i.e. soft lightning should be the way.

2. Candles can evoke feelings of intimacy. They also let the stress run away and make your eyes focused on the pulchritude of your love and the candle light. Also, they give a romantic look to the room. Besides, they should be grouped together in many corners of the room for the best effect.

3. Make it a point to add dimmer switch to the lightning so that psychologically, you will be induced to romantic feelings.

4. Also, one should place mirrors in such a way that it will reflect the softened light. This will give more depth to your bedroom.

5. One should select such window curtains or dressings that are plush, alluring and dark so that it can curb lights from traffic or any sort of external noise from intervening in the romantic mood that is created.

6. Also, the window dressing, if matched with the bedding you choose will make a lot of difference to the whole look of the bed and the room, thus adding a buzz to the romantic appeal of the room.

7. Draperies or curtains that catch the wind and flow can make one feel like swaying to the charms of the respective partner. This will also add a zing to the romantic appeal of the room.

8. Bedding, obviously, is the pivotal point of the whole décor of the bedroom as it’s the criteria of the impression that is created in front of the partner. Silk and satin can be the perfect fabrics for your bed. It will give you a relaxed comfort in the bed, making it cozy and thus sexy for the night.

9. If one could not afford the expense of silk and satin, then they could go for sateen. It is really unbelievable too that same cozy and luxurious effect can be felt with 100% cotton sateen sheets. Also, you do not have to pay your arm and a leg for the material, thus making you feel more comfortable and relieved of the high cost. This comfort will help you in your bed too.

10. Choosing the color of the bedding remains as central as ever to the fortunes of your romantic night. One can do everything right, but miss the bus on colors and spoil everything, thus resulting into a pure wastage of hard work. It could be very frustrating indeed if any such thing occurs. So, one should go for pearl, gold or bronze as they are known to create an environment of romance into your bed. Just do not go for any of the unconventional colors such as grey, yellow or pink. Red, black, white, blue and green are also some of the few popular colors that can be trusted upon to make use on that special night i.e. valentine’s night. Thus, one should be really cautious about colors, and for more info about colors take a look at our article – Room Color and How it Affects your Mood.

11. Adding an interesting texture for bedding is also equally important. Faux Fur, velvet and velour are soft, rich fabrics that can be made use for comforters, blankets and throw pillows. One of the best and well-known luxuries bedding maker is the Peacock-Alley. A warm, romantic bed linen set named as the Marrakech Ebony is offered by them. It is equipped with the shaded of gold, green and ebony in prints that are reminiscent of the African plains. Truly, they look romantic when highlighted by candlelight. Moreover, the Vienna Ensemble from Peacock Alley is 100% Egyptian cotton in white on white featuring eyelet lace.

12. If you are a big fan of the old-fashioned romance, then you could make use of Euro sham, coverlet, boudoir pillows. These kinds of pillows really take you to 1800’s with the interesting impression it gives due to its fabric.

13. Adding to the tips, if you would like to cut down the expenses a bit, then be creative i.e. try to design the bed according to your novelty. Just try to mix chic fabrics and create your own style of bedding. If your creation turns out to be good, then it can impress your partner like anything. Even if the creation does not turn out as good as expected, then too your partner will appreciate to the fact that as least you tried to be romantic, innovative and maneuver, unlike others who set the stage with a throw of some bucks. Thus, you can be safe in this approach

14. Adding a canopy to your bed will be also good but only if you want to go all out. It will give the bedroom a more spacious feel.

15. Finally, some soft romantic music and some potpourri will add a romantic zing as good romantic music really turns on the romantic corner of one’s mind. Besides, chocolates and champagne will generate a richer romantic feel.

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Published by Michael 10 Feb 2008 in Tips & Tricks

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Vacation Shopping Temptations & Decorating

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vac Vacation Shopping Temptations & Decorating

A few days ago a Freshome reader named Kendra Redman contacted me, to write a guest post for this blog, and here is her article. I must admit that her advice is very practical, because I went this year in Greece and after I’ve read this article I’ve found some mistakes that I’ve made.

We have all made the same mistake, c’mon admit it. While on that recent relaxing holiday you bought something you thought would capture that holiday feeling when you returned home to your regular routine. It might have been in a bustling local market, maybe it was something you saw created in front of you by a local craftsperson or an item spotted in a tiny shop presided over by an old stooped woman who smiled charmingly at you.

You were excited about your treasure and made sure it was wrapped and bundled securely for the trip back. Once home you unwrapped the gem eagerly with your mind racing as to where it would look best in your house. In the bright light of day you flinched when you saw your precious vacation souvenir in its new surroundings. Suddenly the colors of your prize, that seemed so bright and cheerful in its native land, only look garish to you now. The details on the pottery you found so charming and quaint clash with your post modern furniture. The tribal mask that seemed primitive ironic while trekking scare your children when they walk by it. What on earth possessed you to buy these things?

The desire to bring back an object to represent your vacation bliss is a natural one that everyone falls prey to on some vacation in their life. So how do you do vacation decorating right? Follow these few simple rules and you will won’t have another vacation decorating disaster.

indian textile vendors Vacation Shopping Temptations & Decorating Textiles – textiles are a great way to bring a splash of your adventures into the home in a subtle way. The textile can be hung, framed, made into a pillow, used to upholster a furniture piece or used as a table runner. A glimpse will still remind you of the village woman who wove the beautiful fabric but not be as jarring as hanging a Swiss cuckoo clock on your minimalist walls.
photo wall Vacation Shopping Temptations & Decorating Photos – Travel photos are wonderful souvenirs. Don’t put them in a variety of mismatching frames or your walls and surfaces will look like one big photo album.Choose an odd number of the best ones and frame in the same simple frames, preferably black with a large mat, and wall mount giving an art gallery effect. To blend with any interior, have the photos developed in black and white.

colorful wooden bowls Vacation Shopping Temptations & Decorating

Bowls – Bowls are functional, attractive and easy to find in any part of the world. You can buy a bamboo lacquered one in Vietnam, a pewter bowl in Norway, a pottery one from Portugal or a rustic wooden bowl from Africa. Lined up on a display shelf they will complement each other as well as telling the story of your journeys.

many masks Vacation Shopping Temptations & Decorating Artwork – Unless you are an investor, choosing art is always a personal thing. That watercolor from France would be a great addition to your guest bathroom.Or the large brightly colored painting can add the spice to your neutral interior.
So the next time you find yourself standing in front of that four foot fertility statue in some faraway place telling yourself it could go in that empty corner in the living room – just walk away.