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January 2019
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![]() If you're longing for wild expanses of forests and lakes, cold winters with lots of snow, and some of the friendliest folks you'll ever meet, Minneapolis, Minnesota, has all that and more. Now home to many Fortune 500 companies and growing in recognition for its medical and tech research, Minneapolis has become an increasingly popular […] The post The Cost of Living in Minneapolis, MN appeared first on Unpakt Blog.
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We wanted to achieve two goals with one project: Find a clever, affordable, and easy-to-install (and break down) secret door in our rental home (we've always wanted one) AND … … make this weird middle room in our home with doors and windows on every wall useful! We already have a living room. Our kitchen has space for our table, and this room is just oddly in the middle of everything. New England houses, man! Our solution was to turn the space into our whiskey and tea library, with a wall of dark shelves, some nice seating options. And, in doing so, create a secret door that leads to our home office/guest room, turning it into a unique secret room. View slideshow of the Whiskey and Tea Library with Secret DoorAfter some late night creativity and lots of measuring, I realized the BILLY Bookcase the perfect width to fit in front of the door to our office/guest room. And it could be tucked into the wall well. But it was also really affordable and easy to assemble. I'd also been considering some of IKEA's closet and wardrobe systems, primarily the PAX system. But those were more expensive, stuck out more from the wall, and most of the door options didn't feel right for the space. IKEA items used:
Other materials and tools:
How to make a secret door using BILLY bookcasesMeasure the spaceMeasure the open wall space and door opening. This both ensures that you'll buy the right number and sizes of the IKEA BILLY Bookcase and also that the door opening to the room you want to hide will line up with the wide BILLY Bookcase. We have an extra ~14″ to the corner on the right side of the bookcase but we'll solve that at another time! ![]() before Assemble bookcases and height extensions one section at a time based on IKEA instructions. Then, anchor WELL to wall using IKEA provided anchors and the proper screws for wall type.
On the section that will be in front of the secret door, simply assemble the outer frame of the main bookcase – without the back or base. Then, assemble the full height extension and attach it to the BILLY frame. Carefully put in place and anchor well to the wall. Install the doorsInstall OXBERG doors on all units once anchored.
We installed ÖSTERNÄS door handles on lower doors. (And we left the standard OXBERG handles on the height extensions just to save a little money. But I imagine it would look great for all doors to have leather handles). Apply window tint film following manufacturer's instructions. We used ZEALOTT Solar Control Window Tint Static Cling that we found on Amazon. It seemed to be the best dark tint. Better yet, it also creates a nice reflective mirror effect for those sitting in the whiskey room (as we call it). I had to cut this for each window section and used a spray bottle to get the surface adequately wet.
Fill shelves with whiskey and tea and books and enjoy! How long did it take?It took a full day to assemble the bookcases and doors. Another day to really do the window film right. And then an embarrassing four months to finish unpacking. (We had just moved into this house summer of 2018. I built all this, and then stashed all of our junk in the office so it was an utter mess until now!). Clearly, we haven't finished painting the office yet, but that won't happen until later in 2019. But I can't wait any longer to share this secret door hack. ![]() Looking out from the home office/guest room through the secret door ![]() View from inside the home office/guest room to the Whiskey room What was the hardest part?Honestly applying the window film was the hardest. It was so tedious and tricky to make sure the cut is centered, clean of all fuzzies. (Dog hair in our case). And then spraying and smoothing and spraying and smoothing to get out the air bubbles and creases. But in the end, it was all worth it. Our whiskey and tea library is awesome. And no one will be any the wiser of our secret door to the hidden office. ~ by Meg Salocks (Follow me on @megandtinyblueberry) The post See it. Or not? How to make a BILLY bookcase secret door appeared first on IKEA Hackers.
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QUIZ: 9 Alcohol Cheats in Animation1/7/2019 ![]() But times have been changing for a while. Nowadays, it's very rare that you'll see any alcohol references in children's animation. BUT! When they weren't allowed to show alcohol, writers and animators have cleverly tried to cheat the filters by simply replacing it with something else, so they could still show comical drunkenness, bar scenes, or savage hangovers. Let's see if you can guess which “kid-friendly” substitutes these cartoons used. Even if you completely strike out on all 9, it's pretty interesting! What Was Used Instead of Alcohol? 1) The Secret Life of Pets (2016)![]() SAUSAGES ![]() 2) Adventure Time (2014)![]() CUCUMBER WATER ![]() 3) Phineas and Ferb (2008)![]() MILKSHAKES ![]() 4) The Legend of Korra (2014)![]() NOODLES ![]() 5) All Hail King Julien (2016)![]() COCONUT MILK ![]() 6) Chip N' Dale's Rescue Rangers (1989)![]() ROTTEN FRUIT ![]() 7) SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004)![]() ICE CREAM ![]() 8) Transformers (1985)![]() ENERGY ![]() 9) My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (2018)![]() CIDER ![]() QUIZ: Alcohol Cheats in Animation You didn't do so well, but the answers are interesting, right? Share your Results : QUIZ: Alcohol Cheats in Animation You did okay! Interesting answers, eh? Share your Results : QUIZ: Alcohol Cheats in Animation Super well done! Share your Results : QUIZ: Alcohol Cheats in Animation Wah wah! You scored a perfect zero. Share your Results : QUIZ: Alcohol Cheats in Animation NAILED IT! Impressive. Most Impressive. Share your Results : This honestly isn't to cast judgement on films or cartoons that show alcohol consumption. We all may have varying opinions on that, but we can probably ALL agree that cartoons aren't always the best teachers. Apparently, it's okay to animate someone comically misusing Talk to your kids early about responsible drinking, okay? Earlier than you probably think you'll need to. The world is already teaching them more than you know. – Thanks to Responsibiliy.org for sponsoring this post. Working with them has opened my eyes much wider to the importance of parents consciously working to stay engaged with their kids, and not just about school or Pokémon or the latest Pixar movie, but especially to have meaningful conversations about often overlooked topics like responsible drinking. As well as all the obvious bigger life stuff they'll need to have a good head on their shoulders about. Like wearing socks and sandals. Ugh.
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While many people fear getting a raw deal from a car salesperson, the real damage can be done when the finance manager sets up your loan. But getting preapproved for a loan before you go car shopping can protect you against this financial sleight of hand. “Auto financing is the last pocket of consumer finance... The article 5 Reasons to Line Up a Loan Before Visiting a Car Dealer originally appeared on NerdWallet. ![]()
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7 Trends in Kitchen Cabinet Painting1/7/2019
The post 7 Trends in Kitchen Cabinet Painting appeared first on Denver Paint Contractor.
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![]() Joan Lao Design Studio, a family of creative interior designers has renovated a 17th-century farmhouse near Barcelona into a one of a kind living space where they can live, work, relax and commune with nature. The family which comprises of a painter (the dad) and two designers (the mom and the daughter) had spent years searching for the perfect house to renovate before they settled this farmhouse. The building has over 2600 square feet of floor space, and it's located in a 62-acre farm, surrounded by oak trees. ![]() All the old aspects of the building, including the clay floors and walls, wooden trunk joists, and natural stone walls were incorporated in the new design. The end result was a house that offers the sophistication and comforts of the 21st century in a space that's bathed in a 17th century aesthetic. This juxtaposition makes the house uniquely luxurious- imagine being able to live and work in a space that has an archeological feel to it. The ambiance of the house makes it a great place to create and showcase works of art, which is exactly what the family does- the hallways are lined with paintings, and the living spaces are filled with artistic furniture and picturesque displays. The design concept was created by the mother and daughter team, and the dad, a renowned painter, was charged with selecting a color scheme. Both the artwork and the home accessories were made by the family. Rugs around the house are made of natural textures to match the stone walls. The kitchen includes appliances and fixtures from the Allstone kitchen collection, all of which perfectly blend in with the color scheme of the house. The dining table and chairs also compliment the rest of the living space. The lighting fixtures are toned down so that they don't create too much of contrast- the ones used in the house are from the Hidden Light Collection. Natural colored Lizzo curtains are used along doorways. The bathroom décor is from the Allstone bathroom furniture collection. The bathroom offers all the modern conveniences without ruining the 17th century aesthetic of the house. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() For a family of creative designers and a painter, this centuries-old farmhouse certainly offers the kind of atmosphere that inspires further creativity. It's a place that's meticulously designed to allow a creative mind to flourish. Images: dwell Photography: Eugeni Pons The post Centuries-old Spanish Farmhouse Rransformed into a Stunning Home appeared first on Decoholic.
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Landscape drainage is a critical factor in the success of any landscape design project. And most Northern Virginia properties have pre-existing drainage problems that must be addressed within the scope of a landscape design project. The first step for your landscape architect is to conduct a thorough site analysis and evaluation taking note of the existing slopes and elevation changes on the property, surface and groundwater (wet and dry areas), and soil composition. We want to be sure that rainwater is not puddling on hard surfaces but is directed to run off and sink into the ground. We want soil around plants and trees to drain efficiently so plants will stay healthy. The Necessity of a Landscape Drainage PlanThe effectiveness of the drainage system on a property overall and techniques that support well-drained planting beds have a direct bearing on the health and longevity of your garden plants. A sound landscape drainage plan is comprised of two principal parts: one relates to hardscaping and the other to planting beds. ![]() Drainage and Hardscaping We often use slot drains along the perimeters of patios and walkways to take rainwater straight into the ground. We also adjust grading on the property to control the direction and flow speed of surface water. We may direct rainwater toward a natural slope or to an area where we've installed a small culvert or drain box. Drainage and Plants A raised bed will usually have low retaining wall bordering it. Mounding doesn't require hardscaping. In both, we use a balanced blend of sand, soil, and compost to build up the mound so it is stable, provides nutrients, and drains properly. Drainage Solution 1: A Damp Yard Reclaimed![]() The owners of this McLean residence rarely used their backyard patio because it always felt damp and uncomfortable. During heavy rainstorms, water would sometimes flood the lower level of the house. A landscaping project not only beautified the backyard but permanently fixed their serious drainage issues. We dug an infiltration trench in the front right corner of the side yard. All the downspouts from the house tie into it. An infiltration trench sinks about six feet into the ground. It is lined with fabric, filled with layers of sand, clean washed gravel and topped off with about a foot of well-draining topsoil. Excess water filters into the ground. Although you can't see it, this part of the drainage plan was vitally important the success of this landscape design project. If the property didn't drain properly, plants and people would suffer from too much moisture. Making an outdoor environment beautiful is important, making it comfortable and fully functional is essential. Drainage Solution 2: A Low Spot Becomes a Highlight![]() ![]() This Herndon residence had drainage problems that made it impossible to plant anything to make the front entry attractive. The ground sloped left along the front of the house toward a lot spot where water collected and pooled against the foundation. A front entry landscaping project beautified the curb appeal of the home while solving the drainage problem. We ran drainage pipes under the driveway to draw excess water away from the house, then built up the garden beds above the previous ground level and held them in place with a low retaining wall. Drainage Solution 3: Beautiful & Practical
The Design You Don't See
All of the example projects began with a desire on the part of a homeowner to correct a drainage problem that was preventing them from using their yard or was interfering with the ability of landscaping plants to establish and thrive. If you feel that landscape drainage issues are preventing you from fully enjoying your outdoor living areas, contact one of our landscape architects to schedule a consultation.
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I recently encountered an article from the Early Retirement Now blog, discussing just how much sequence of returns risk matters in retirement. The article isn't new (May 2017). And it's pretty math-heavy. But it's worth a read. One noteworthy finding: over a 30-year retirement, only 31% of the variation in safe withdrawal rates is explained by the average return earned by the portfolio over that 30-year period. 64%, however, is explained by the sequence of those returns. If the math intimidates you, I would still encourage you to at least click over to the article and find the second table - the one with a column of green-highlighted cells. What these cells are showing you is how important each 5-year window of returns is in determining safe withdrawal rate. It's quite striking how much less important each 5-year window of returns is, relative to the prior 5-year window. For example, years 0-5 explain more than 28% of the variation in safe withdrawal rate. Years 5-10 explain another 19%. Years 10-15 explain another 13%. And so on. Key takeaway being: the returns that your portfolio earns in the first several years of retirement matter a lot.
Other Recommended Reading
Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year! What is the Best Age to Claim Social Security?Read the answers to this question and several other Social Security questions in my latest book:
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Turn your garden into a living space with garden furniture. Here's how!There's no doubt that Garden Furniture allows you to make the most of any outside space. This may be a lawn, patio, decking or just a balcony, and by adding furniture you will fully realize its potential to become a valuable extension of your home. Traditional or contemporary in design, you have a wide choice of materials, with different types of timber, rattan, stainless steel and all-weather fabrics all proving popular when creating a particular ambiance or complementing the existing landscape. Today's garden furniture is very much similar quality to the equivalent sofas and chairs you'll find in any lounge and, because it has to deal with adverse weather conditions, it's probably more robust and made from highly durable materials. The sheer range of garden furniture is impressive to say the least, with online garden furniture suppliers offering table and chair sets for dining and entertaining, benches and loungers for relaxation along with an incredibly diverse range of other items. Garden Sofas and OttomansNothing illustrates the beneficial impact that high quality furniture can have on your garden than all-weather sofas and day beds. There's no better way to relax and enjoy the company of friends, than on these luxurious pieces that can be left outside throughout the summer months. Corrosion resistant metal frames are used for strength and these are upholstered with artificial wicker, rattan or easy to clean fabric. Individual items can be used on their own while other piece are joined to form attractive and very useful corner sets. Accessories include deep cushions, stools, dining and side tables in a similar style. Dining SetsEating and entertaining in your outdoor garden is so much better when the chair you're sitting in is stylishly designed from teak or another hardwood, shining corrosion free metal, wicker, rattan, or even decorative moulded resin, and the matching table is similarly eye-catching perhaps with a glass or ceramic top. Two chairs and a modest table make a lovely bistro set, benches and seats are able to accommodate more guests while individual chairs around a circular, square or long rectangular table create a comfortable and elegant ambiance which adds to your enjoyment of the food, drink and fellow diners. Picnic TablesThe simplest of these very popular practical pieces of outdoor furniture represent a dining set at its most utilitarian, a central rectangular table and two facing benches offering a place to enjoy simple refreshment. But even the humble picnic table can have a makeover and there are now versions with substantial railway type sleeper benches or four quarter circle seats with perhaps a slatted back rest surrounding a round table. Children's picnic tables are also available with one showing its versatility doubling as a sandpit. Garden Chairs and BenchesWeeding and mowing are hard work, and single Chairs and Benches provide useful resting places around the garden, while Companion Seats with a compact middle table, where refreshments or books can be placed, are perfect to share the time of day with someone else. Again there is a huge range of sizes and styles, timber blends ideally with the landscape and metal will develop an attractive patina. Granite and colourful sandstone will also make an impression, and there are resin examples that boast storage space. If you enjoy sitting in the shade of a tree why not try a circular bench that will enclose the trunk of your favourite apple or oak. ParasolsTo complete your outdoor dining experience, a parasol might be required if the sun proves too intense, and the familiar circular umbrella designs that sit in the middle of the table have received contemporary remodelling in terms of both design and materials. Cantilever parasols in a range of colours can now stand away from the table, reaching over to provide shade under a canopy that can be as much as 4 mtrs square. There are also 'sail' type canvas sheets that cover a wide area between two aluminium poles, and a curtain can be fitted to prevent any cool breeze from spoiling your enjoyment of the summer. HammocksFinally, Hammocks or swing seats might represent the most comfortable way of relaxing in the garden. With shading from the sun you can swing back and forth on a seat supported by chains or tangle free rods. These aren't children's swings, they are high quality and distinctively designed for adults who want to unwind in the most satisfying way possible.
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![]() Need to earn extra money to help fund your real estate investments? Or simply want to better leverage your free time? Take part in these 7 side hustles! View the full article: 7 Sharing Economy Side Hustles Real Estate Investors Can Use to Earn Extra Cash on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |