Blog / News - Page 11 of 19 - Millenia Realty Dominica

Oct 01 No Comments

Choosing a Building Plan from a Collection

Author: Marketing

Categories: building

Browsing through the web in search of a house plan? What features are you looking for? Here are a few tips on how to choose the right plan for your new home.

Your land topography will affect your building plans in a big way. It will save you time and money if you choose a house plan that fits your land rather than trying to make the land fit the plan. Costly exercises like excavation is often used to amend land to fit plans especially in mountainous countries like Dominica however this may not always be necessary.

The size and shape of your lot can have a great impact on the style of the home you can build, and thus the house plan you will need to choose e.g. a small rectangular shaped lot will restrict the layout and style of the home.

The blueprints commonly referred to as the plan can be changed. Most times when a plan is selected, the buyer may want to change certain aspects to suit their needs or personal preference or sometimes even the land topography. Find a house plan that is close enough to what you are looking for and request any necessary changes from your architect. Say, you spend a lot of time in your kitchen and would prefer have a larger kitchen than a master bedroom; you can request a change to achieve that.

You’ve found the right layout but this house is just too big. Examine the plans with your architect and discuss cutting down the size of the different areas until you get the house down to the size you are comfortable with. The reverse is also possible. It’s a good idea to limit your search, but not too narrow that you don’t allow yourself to see other appealing layouts.

3-D plans are used to assist in visualizing the home when it is complete. A mistake that some people make is disregarding a home design because of its outer appearance. The exterior of the house can easily be changed especially if the issue is the finishing like the color, doors and windows displayed. What is most important is size and layout, so go ahead, examine the house layout and size even though you are not completely sold on the external looks.

Knowing what to look for can speed up the process of choosing the house plan that’s right for you. It is also wise to have an open mind when searching for a plan. There are many great house designs out there. Looking at different homes may broaden your knowledge and may just lead you to a better design that you probably never would have thought of.

Sep 28 No Comments

Are you in the living room or the drawing room?

Author: Marketing

Categories: home improvement

Many are not sure or do not know which it is. “Living room” and “drawing room” are two terms in the world of the home interiors that are often used synonymously. Most of the people tend to assume that living room and drawing room are two words with same meaning and can be used to address any common place used for gathering and socializing. However, this is not so. In true terms, living room and drawing room are two unique terms used to address different types of seating area.

A living room is relatively a new term in the home industry. This room is commonly addressed as the sitting room or lounge and is generally used by the house owner and his family members for relaxation, entertainment and recreation. The living room is a versatile room and is also used for other activities such as watching television, reading books, gossiping with family members, spending time with children, drinking, eating and many more casual activities.

On the other hand, a drawing room is an eighteenth century term that was earlier used by the British people. The room is mainly used for the entertainment of the visitors. This is the place where guests are made to sit down for a short period. The room is also used for seating the guests after they are through with the dinner. Therefore, conclusively it can be said that the main function of the living room is to provide the family members with a common place where members can flock together and have a fun and engaging time, whereas the function of a drawing room is to provide a room where guests can be entertained.

The drawing room is generally located near the entry door or the front door so that the guests are led directly into it. On the other hand, the living room is generally located in the inside portions of the house, mostly near the kitchen so that members can get snacks and drinks while they indulge in casual activities.

A typical living room is generally furnished with comfortable chairs, sofas, recliners, tables, lamps, fireplace, bookshelves, rugs, media devices such as television, music player, and home theatre and other decorative items such as piano, art work, etc. On the other hand, drawing room is mainly furnished with formal seating furniture such as chairs and sofas. The decoration is kept minimal and items having a functional use are introduced.

Sep 27 No Comments

Environmental Impact Assessment

Author: Marketing

Categories: building

Do you know what an Environmental Impact Assessment is? This is a formal process used to predict the consequences of a plan, program, policy or project (which we will refer to as projects in this article) prior to making final decisions and execution.

What is the purpose of performing an Environmental Impact Assessment? The objective of Environmental Impact Assessment includes predicting the impacts a project will have on the environment, finding ways and means to reduce predicted adverse impacts, shaping projects to suit the subject location and presenting the predictions and options to the decision-makers.

Some projects because of their nature, size or location are expected to have an effect on the environment and therefore will be required to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment, whether proposed by public or private individuals.

Projects affect many factors in the environment in ways that may not necessarily be visible to the ordinary man or woman. Flora, fauna, soil, water, air, landscape and even human beings are some important factors likely to be affected by these projects.

An example we can all relate to is the construction of a new road. Construction of a new road can positively affect an area by reducing traffic congestion. On the other hand, land may need to be cut to build the new road which may negatively affect an area by changing its geography and may even disrupt the drainage pattern, thus forcing the redirection of existing watercourses and considering more suitable methods of treating run-offs.

Construction of a new road in an area also means an increase in the number of traffic and thus an increase in air pollution. It’s possible that emission from vehicles can affect already existing atmospheric pollutants which may then affect human health, animal health and natural resources. In some areas buildings may have to be moved to accommodate the new road, also affecting the life of the owners and residents of that property.

Environmental Impact Assessment may seem tedious or scary but it is important to have a rational approach to sustainable development, especially given the fact that development is an ongoing process and will impact the environment one way or another.

Sep 26 No Comments

Live Different – Imagine the Comfort and Charisma of such Eating Spaces

Author: Marketing

Categories: building,home improvement

Kitchens, family rooms, and dedicated dining rooms all offer opportunities for comfortable, attractive eating spaces. Consider these options for creating practical eating areas in your home.

Dining area: For a more formal dining experience, opt for a dedicated dining space separate from the kitchen. A dining area might also be part of a family room, giving the eating area the potential to act either as a formal or casual dining setting, and giving it multi-use possibilities.

Eat-in kitchen: A table and chairs arranged conveniently in an eat-in kitchen saves steps. In addition to a casual eating space, it provides a place to talk, do homework, or socialize with the cook.

Breakfast nook: Placed just off the kitchen, an eating nook is a great option for informal meals away from the messy work core.

Island/peninsula seating: Extend an island or peninsula countertop to create an overhang that invites a row of stools.

Table-height counter: Integrate a table on one end of an island or peninsula for casual seating at table height rather than bar level.

Banquette: One of the best ways to squeeze additional seating into a tight space is to build a banquette along a wall. A banquette can be designed for the kitchen, the dining room, or an adjoining nook.

Sep 25 No Comments

Tips on Designing a Multi-functional Family Room

Author: Marketing

Categories: building,home improvement

Does your family disagree on how to design the family room? Some members might enjoy a quiet, peaceful space while others like to play music and movies in here. Turn your family room into a place where both kids and adults are welcome. After all, it’s called the “family” room for a reason. Try these tips for designing a multi-functional family room for your home.

Divide the space into sections
Do you have several things going on in this room at once? Rather than making the family room into one big space, divide it into smaller sections. For example, create a seating area around the television or fireplace and keep the play area in its own section. This doesn’t mean you have to put up walls in the family room; create invisible walls by creating lines with furniture, area rugs, paint and so on.

Choose a cohesive theme or style
Even though you might have several zones in this one space, it is all part of one room. While you may separate the sections with different wall colors, everything should work together cohesively. Choose one theme or style for the room and then visually split up the space with separate sections.

Search for multi-functional furniture
When you are designing a multi-functional family room, you might find yourself a little short on space. Choosing furniture that can provide multiple purposes is the perfect solution to this problem. For example, a futon or sofa that folds out into a bed provides extra sleeping space for guests. Benches with inside storage help keep toys organize while giving children a place to sit down.

Consider the flow of traffic
You also need to make sure your traffic flow is not interrupted in a multi-functional space, as in any other room of the house. One section of the room should not inhibit family members from comfortably moving into the other section; this means there should be a clear walking path that doesn’t zigzag around the room.

Layer with different types of lighting
In a room that is used for multiple purposes, you might find use for different types of lighting. Some activities require plenty of bright light, while others require hardly any. Consider the way you use the room and plan your lighting accordingly. Make sure you have several different brightness options.

Sep 24 No Comments

What’s the Right House Plan for You?

Author: Marketing

Categories: building

We learned at school that one of our basic needs is shelter. When we reach adulthood, it becomes important to have a home we can call our own or necessary to provide shelter to our own family. At some point in our lives, each of us gets to choose the type of home we live in. We may have to choose a rental, buy a home or build. Those who choose to build a house may opt to design and build to just satisfy their basic needs while others design based on their personal desires. Whichever reason you decide to build, the floor plan of the home that you choose will have a great effect on whether you will live comfortably and have made the most economical decisions.

Factors such as your budget and family lifestyle can be used to guide your decision when choosing the right plan for you and your family. Your monthly commitments, terms of your financial institution and your savings will have a great effect on the home you will choose to build. This will determine whether you are building to satisfy basic needs or whether you are going for the dream home.

Do you entertain a lot of persons or are you the kind who spends a lot of time in the outdoors? Think of your site and how the house will fit on it. What sort of landscaping you would like to have? Are you the one to call friends or neighbours and strike the grill? The extra space your land provides can be used for fun activities or simply relaxing. You may want to plan your house layout to complement your outdoor space or vice versa.

Once you have made the decision to build a home, the need to spend money wisely becomes increasingly important. Asking yourself these questions and more, giving some thought to your housing needs or wants, will take you a long way in deciding which house plan is best for you.

Sep 24 No Comments

Have Fun with an Outdoor Kitchen

Author: Marketing

Categories: home improvement

An outdoor kitchen boosts a home’s value. The outdoor kitchen is quickly becoming a growing trend for homeowners that want to maximize their outdoor space while making an investment in their home that would increase their home’s resale value. So consider moving your activities outdoors by creating a space that is perfect for entertaining and cooking.

Having an outdoor kitchen offers homeowners the opportunity to prepare meals while being comfortably surrounded by family members and friends while still enjoying the outdoors. It is a great method for socializing and allows the person inside preparing the meals to not feel left-out while others are outside enjoying each other’s company.
Preparing meals outdoors provides several benefits. It keeps the level of heat within the home at a minimum and makes cleaning up easier. An outdoor kitchen also decreases the traffic within the home during outdoor activities where meals are served.
Most of all, outdoor kitchens are fun. It is enjoyable to be outdoors, to relax in a lounge chair, perhaps to watch somebody else do the cooking.

When designing an outdoor kitchen there a few tips to keep in mind:

Choose low-maintenance materials that are designed to withstand the conditions of the outdoors. Keep in mind that high-quality stainless steel provides a sanitary surface that is both easy to clean and resistant to corrosion. Counters and other materials used for building should be highly resistant to grease stains and able to withstand high temperatures.
The location of your outdoor kitchen is very important and depends on several factors. The kitchen will need to be oriented in such a way that wind does not blow smoke into the home. However, it would also need to be close enough to the inside kitchen so that you will not need to travel long distances to retrieve items that you need.
When it comes to outdoor activities the weather can be a big issue. Having a pergola or any other form of covering will allow you to enjoy cooking outdoors, whether rain or shine.

Were the above tips useful? Share this article with family and friends.

Sep 21 No Comments

Bedroom makeover for your child’s success!

Author: Marketing

Categories: home improvement

This new school year make some design changes to your child’s bedroom that will complement their enthusiasm and help keep them focused.

A dose of colour

The effects of color on learning are well documented. Studies have shown that light blues and purples have a calming effect on learners and are a good choice for a learning environment. Warm tones like taupe and peach provide a relaxing atmosphere that allows learners to focus on their studies rather than be distracted by their environment. Avoid bold colors, such as red, since they can provide a huge distraction, especially with younger learners. Black and brown are associated with fear and anxiety in young children and can bring about an undercurrent of anxiety. Yellow is the hardest color for the eye to break down and causes stress when the eye comes across it.

Get your child involved

Find out what your child is interested in and decorate his or her room accordingly. For instance, if your child has shown an interest in astronomy, decorate the room with posters of the planets, telescopes, and stars. Get the child fully involved in selecting these items.

Affirmation Signs

Place positive reinforcement signs around the bedroom that can remind your child’s subconscious mind of his or her potential to learn. You and your child can make these signs together. Make the signs attractive with a lot of colour. Some examples of affirmation signs include:-

I BELIEVE IN MYSELF.
I AM UNIQUE AND VALUABLE.
I AM RESPONSIBLE.
I CAN LEARN.

Display their accomplishments

Whether it is an A plus paper or artwork, make a point to display your child’s work in their room and throughout the house. Children need encouragement and support in their achievements.

Sep 14 No Comments

Advantages of Hiring an Architect

Author: Marketing

Categories: building

Architects are specifically trained and licensed to work on planning and designing buildings. If you are drawing near to the building phase and are thinking of hiring an architect, we highly recommend that you at least meet with an Architect to discuss how they can help you. Hiring an Architect could prove quite beneficial to you, here are a few reasons why:

They provide expert information and guidance. Whether you are building a new home or remodeling an existing building a lot of work needs to be done to get the task completed efficiently. An Architect, especially one who has years of experience working in this field is quite knowledgeable about zoning and building codes that can help quicken the process of getting the necessary approval for building.

By interacting with clients and asking questions, an Architect can create a unique home that has been specifically designed to include the desires of their clients giving them their dream home. Also, Architects have been trained to select the ideal location to utilize the site’s natural lighting, shading and views providing insight the client may not have even considered.

The quantity and quality of materials needed can greatly affect the final cost of construction. An Architect can advise on the best options to help maximize the client’s budget. Also, with energy conservation being a huge concern today an Architect can implement techniques, construction methods and materials that can help meet conservation goals and make a building more energy efficient.

An Architect can take on a more fundamental role of Construction Manager. Hiring an Architect as the Construction Manager can be beneficial to clients. The Construction Manager works closely with the general contractor and helps keep construction in conformance with the design and to assist in having the construction completed on schedule and within budget.

Were the above tips useful? Share this article with family and friends.

Sep 11 No Comments

Things to consider When Expanding your Home

Author: Marketing

Categories: building,home improvement

Renovations and additions can improve the comfort and functionality of your home as well as increase its value. Renovation may be very simple in the sense that the only activity it involves is replacing existing materials like windows, doors, cupboards etc. Larger renovation projects may need a great deal of consideration and planning especially if it’s an addition to an existing building.

If you are planning to expand your home please ponder on these:

Purpose – The reason for the renovation is a good place to start planning. Your decision to add to your home may stem from reasons like family growth, increase in disposable income, the need for a more comfortable living space etc. These reasons will affect things like material choice, style and size.

Location – Just as location is important for new buildings, it is important when adding to an existing building especially as utilities are already well placed. Choose the location that’s most convenient for the purpose. Enhance the environmental quality of the building by taking advantage of and considering a beautiful view, use of yard space, the flow between the current sections of the house to the addition as well as making use of natural ventilation and lighting. These aspects are a few that could contribute to your decision. The extent of the renovation may warrant involvement by the local planning authority.

Size – The larger the square footage of the addition the higher the cost of construction. The reason for the addition and the amount of money available helps determine size. The purpose also helps determine type of materials to be used. E.g. a large increase in disposable income could encourage a luxurious finish.

Appeal – No one wants their addition to look like a misplaced ornament. Although additions don’t allow expression of creativity and personal taste as designing a new home would, it could be seen as a pattern to follow. So if your house has frosted white windows and oversized doors for example you would want to match that. If it is difficult to obtain those items for any reason then you could simply match the colour and the interior layout. If budget permits, change all windows and doors to create a more cohesive look. Try as much as possible to maintain one general look on the exterior.

Plan and budget – Develop a general idea of the amount of money you want to and can spend on this project. Once you know how much money is available compare it to your plan. Comparing renovation plans to budgeted funds allows you to weed out any part of the renovation that is not compulsory or necessary at this time or increase the scope of the project.

A lot of components come into play when adding to your home and you may want to avoid costly or dangerous mistakes. If you intend to renovate or remodel in the New Year now would be a good time to start planning. If the remodel or renovation is planned for the Christmas, consult a professional before jumping in!