JENNIFER ANISTON’s Beverly House

 Jennifer Aniston collaborated with designer Stephen Shadley to transform a 1970 residence by Harold W. Levitt in Beverly Hills into an inviting retreat where she hosts frequent gatherings. “The making of the house was as significant to me as the living in it,” says the former Friends star.

ENTRANCE HALL

Aniston loved the tall entrance doors the moment she saw them. The Murano glass chandelier just inside is one of the first things she bought for the house. “Jen said things like ‘Zen’ and ‘Bali’ when we discussed the design—rather than doing a theme house, we got at the spirit of that,” says Shadley.

LIVING ROOM

In the foreground of the living room, a Jacques Adnet ashtray for Hermès holds cigarette packs in Motherwell’s favourite blue. Larsen fabric is on the shade of the Vladimir Kagan lamp. The Japanese vase is from Naga Antiques, the curtains are of a Bergamo silk, and the paint is by Benjamin Moore. The wood flooring here and elsewhere is from BR-111.

The living room is an intimate space that opens to views of the koi pond. The low table is from Todd Merrill Antiques. Glant Linen is on the sofa, which Shadley designed, and the chairs are covered in Manuel Canovas velvet.

SITTING AREA

A pizza oven and wine room are featured in the kitchen. A travertine bar separates it from the sitting area, where Aniston and her guests can relax or watch television. Glant fabric covers the chair and the Piet Hein barstools.


GAME ROOM

The game room, with its bar and vintage pool table, is “a great hangout at parties,” says Shadley. “And there are lots of places to sit outside.” The sofa is upholstered in a Larsen fabric, the lampshade is of a Calvin silk, and the barstool seats are covered in Hunt leather.

LANAI

Heated travertine floors warm the lanai, which can be enclosed with a bronze chain-mail curtain. The fabric on the love seat and chairs in the foreground is from Holly Hunt, as are the pillow fabrics. Chella fabric covers the Shadley-designed chairs near the fireplace.

EAVES

Shadley extended the house’s eaves, which were clad in cumaru, and put in travertine flooring. The umbrellas are from Janus et Cie.

Can housing sector lead India back to double digit growth?

Over the years 3D Power has noticed that India has an uphill task as it begins to revive from a decade low growth rate of 5% in 2013. In its journey of re-stimulation, the housing sector is set to play a pivotal role. For one, housing shortage of almost 63 million units presents both a critical stress and an opportunity. The demand for houses is expected to increase by another 26.3 million units in the next 3 years due to population growth at the current rate of growth. These statistics mandate public-private partnerships; providing incentives to form such alliances will provide an impetus. The housing sector also has a positive impact on allied industries. As per  LIC Housing Finance  Limited (LICHFL), 78% of the sum spent on construction of a housing unit in India gets added back directly to the India's GDP. Thus industries such as building material suppliers, cement, steel, sand, timber, architectural and interior design, and financing institutions also benefit. Additionally, CREDAI says currently the real estate sector employs nearly 7.6 million people. Given the total existing demand, the number of employees could increase to about 17 million by 2025. Creating projects will also increase the rate of urbanization which currently stands at 31%, lower than any other developing nation. 

The housing sector needs large volumes of funding and infrastructure development to achieve its social and economic objectives. According to the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), funds committed to the construction development sector contributed 11.1% share of the total FDI inflow in 2008. This share dropped to 4% in 2012. Risk perception, timeline delays and lack of clarity of exit routes have shaken investor’s confidence. Easing the minimum 3 year lock in period, reducing minimum capitalization threshold as well as the minimum built up area of 500000 square feet to 100000 square feet must be considered. The government must fast track certain pending and disputed policy measures. The need of the hour is to recognize challenges and take measures to mitigate them. Long standing demands such as single window clearance, raising FSI (floor space index) cap and recognizing housing as “infrastructure or core sector” must be met. Bank credit must be made available to both developers and consumers so that transaction activity receives a significant push; currently bank credit deployment to the construction sector is just 2.3% compared to the total industry and majority people have no access to formal credit. 

According to the Economic Survey of India, the real estate industry contributed 5.9% of the country’s GDP in 2012-2013. In the US, housing services contribute 15.5% of the GDP, more than 2.6 times India's contribution, even when its housing needs are substantially satisfied. Therefore for a housing deficit nation like India, the GDP contribution from housing should be multifold. Growth can be multiplied if the housing shortage is met; but in order to meet the potential of the sector, government policies, infrastructure and the correlation between GDP and real estate activity must play necessary roles.

Vintage Industrial Home for a Couple and Their Three Cats in TaiwanImage 1

HAO Design Studio completed the design and development of Recall Casa, a charming industrial home design especially envisioned for a couple and their three cats. The unconventional crib is located in Kaohsiung city, Taiwan and has comes with a total living surface of 155 square meters. The old movie poster, gramophone record and vintage camera make this space looks like a loft café. The entire vintage collection of the owners is carefully put on display, resulting in an original home design with plenty of eye-catching elements.

Mixed-Use Buildings Are the Future of Real Estate

Two of the problems that many areas face are a need for increased residential space, coupled with a need for retail spaces. In some areas, further large-scale development has been restricted due to booming populations. One of the possible solutions to this issue is mixed-use real estate, such as the projects that Louis Ceruzzi Properties LLC is involved in.

A Solution to Increased Growth

Developers who build mixed-use buildings or adapt existing buildings for this sort of usage can help provides solutions in areas with a lot of growth. By using some of the space as residential areas, either in the form of apartments or condos, developers can be assured that their space will be filled. The availability of stores and restaurants in the same building is a top selling point for many people, especially in cities with less car ownership.

Renters and Buyers Enjoy This Option

Many developers feel that mixed-use buildings have more curbside appeal for residential tenants than standalone condo or apartment buildings. Having access to stores, as well as restaurants, in the same building helps give many people a greater sense of convenience because they don't have to go elsewhere. In urban areas with minimal parking, many residents will look for places where they can do much of their shopping without traveling to places where they must drive.

A Winning Situation for Commercial Tenants

Many commercial tenants will enjoy the idea of setting up in an area where they have access to customers living or working in the same building. Restaurants will see a lot of benefit from being in a mixed-use building where people working at businesses inside can get their lunch without having to leave the premises. Businesses that operate in an office setting will also find these buildings quite helpful.

Saving Space and Resources

Mixed-use developments that are spread out over a larger area may lead to problems with the environmental impact. Multi-story mixed-use buildings take up less ground space, which is something that is always desirable in busy urban settings. Because many of these mixed-use developments involve renovating a building already constructed, there is somewhat less of an environmental impact.

Fewer Maintenance Concerns

Another feature that is very attractive about this option is having one maintenance team being able to share responsibilities for both residents and commercial tenants. This option is much more viable than attempting to maintain buildings that might be in distant locations. A building with a larger number of tenants would be easily able to benefit from having a maintenance team on-hand 24-hours a day.

Upgrades That Help the Environment

Many of these buildings have undergone upgrades that are more eco-friendly and avoid excessive use of additional materials. Exposing the original concrete walls and floors in many buildings helps save extra steps. Many upgraded buildings also make use of eco-friendly energy options, such as power drawn from solar panels.

It is very likely that you'll be hearing a lot about mixed-use buildings in coming years as more developers make use of them. The many benefits that come with a versatile property are worthy of consideration. If you're in the market for a condo or apartment, or perhaps commercial space, this is an option to consider.

Working Better with Practical Accessories

Toolboxes can be heavy and awkward to move around your shop. When your tool chest is loaded to the hilt with hammers, screw drivers, wrenches, and of course all of the parts like nails, washers, and screws, you may find that the chest cannot be moved at all. Having a cart that cannot be easily moved in your workshop can put a dent in your work deadlines because you must run back and forth from the cart to get the tools and parts you need. When you want to work faster and better, you may find it possible by selecting practical accessories like pallet jack wheels for your toolboxes.

When you add these parts, you find that your box becomes movable and even lighter to handle. This is because the weight of the toolbox itself is being balanced on the casters, allowing you to glide the toolbox wherever you need it to go. You no longer have to run back and forth from the toolbox to your work station. Instead, you can glide the box around your work area and project, allowing you to reach into the box whenever you need to get the right tool or part.

When you first check out these parts for sale, you may think to yourself that your toolbox will never be able to balance on the wheels. In fact, the wheels are sturdier than they look and are designed to take a significant amount of wear and tear before becoming damaged. You can move them across bumpy concrete floors without the toolbox spilling its contents. You can also push the box around on a glossy tile floor without the floor's surface being scratched or dented. The casters are designed for industrial use, ensuring that they are an asset rather than a detriment to your work.

It may be important for you to swivel your carts as you work as well. The razor casters are designed to swivel at a moment's notice without becoming stuck or overturning the cart to which they are attached. The nylon casters also are designed to take a lot of weight without scratching or gouging the surface of the floor on which the cart is moving. When your work requires that you stay on tight deadlines, you may find it handy to invest in accessories like casters. You can find a wide selection online.

Luxury design inspiration from the home of extravagance

If you have ever paid a visit to the legendary city of Las Vegas, then you will know that there is no holding back when it comes to luxury. Swanky and opulent describes the tourist accommodation you will enjoy there, and it is so luxurious that you may be tempted to bring a little of the Vegas style home with you.

There is possibly just one man who is responsible for the popular image of Las Vegas, and that man is Steve Wynn. Known as the uncrowned king of Las Vegas, Wynn was the brains behind a tourism empire, populating Vegas with high-end hotels that had a deliberate focus on wowing all visitors. And he seemed to spare no cost in doing so. Back in 2005, he had just opened a new Vegas resort costing $2.7bn. The resort featured ballrooms, a museum, boutiques, and theaters. For Wynn, opulence was not just for show – it was art.

While replicating the Eiffel Tower or an Egyptian pyramid might be a bit ambitious for your own home, there are other aspects of Vegas interior decoration that you can use. The overall theme of much of Las Vegas interior decoration is that of urban chic, a cosmopolitan feel that still manages to be warm and welcoming.

Let us start with your bedroom. Here you can replicate the look of a Las Vegas hotel bedroom, complete with a stunning, eye-grabbing headboard and oversized bed. Use only the best-quality fabrics for your bed linen, such as Egyptian cotton for the bedsheets, but ramp up the luxury aspect with silk or velvet throws for decoration at the foot of the bed. Add throw cushions to emphasize the comfort level. Keep wall decoration to a minimum with just a few modern pictures hung on the wall against a plain background.

Moving on to the living areas of your home, here you can bring in long sofas that provide plenty of seating, but forget the overly soft models that are perhaps a little too cozy. Instead, opt for more classic shapes that accentuate every curve and decoration. Use L-shaped models to give the idea of lobby seating and to make the best use of available space. Ensure the seating is upholstered in a plush fabric.

The bathrooms in Las Vegas hotel suites are probably the most impressive rooms. Bring a little of their sophistication to your own home by installing dual basins so that you and your partner can have their own bathroom space. Accessorize with wall-mounted heated towel racks, extending mirrors, and designer wall lights. If possible, swap your old bathtub for a glass-fronted shower cubicle with tiled sides.

Your home can be given a sheen of glamour with high-impact lighting. For central pendant lights, hang elaborate crystal or glass chandeliers, and create different levels of lighting with wall and sidelights to help create a golden, shimmering atmosphere.

You too can achieve Vegas glamour in your home by replicating the look of its hotel accommodation, installing clever lighting solutions, and by keeping all aesthetics crisp and clean.

Unexpected Exteriors of 3D Bungalows

No matter whether it’s about making or darkening of an image of a bungalow or creating 2D images showing the attributes of a proposed architectural design for a bungalow are very tough tasks. 3D Power, being outstanding at that, gives you elevations designing services for your dream home in the form of images. It can be bungalows, twin bungalows, villas, farm houses, row houses, etc. It helps you to visualize your dream home before it is really constructed which in turn saves your time, money and gives you option to change, edit the unwanted areas and its aesthetics.

3D day views helps you to imagine your home with all industrial details like the colours, textures, elevations, material details, etc. The Night views add a great impact to the project. It combines interior artificial lights with natural lighting on its landscaping. These are perfect components to have the complete picture of the living space.