Luxury homes are not just about Italian marble, Swarovski chandelier, designer upholstery and plunge pool. Elevator, well-equipped gym, massage room, versatile space for parties, multi-level garage and wet-and-dry kitchens are some of what the rich and chic seek to incorporate while planning their homes.

Is this a house? Or a hotel? The question lurks in my mind as I step into a newly-constructed villa in an upscale locality in Chennai. From the spacious contemporary-styled formal living room with streamlined ivory-hued furniture, the space flows seamlessly into a lounge area where an all-glass elevator glistens from a corner. A sliding French door with remote-controlled blinds on the right opens to a painstakingly-preened lawn that leads to a swimming pool. From the poolside you have access to the gym and massage room. Plush indoor pen for the poodle with direct throw from the air conditioner, tiered garage, jamming room for the musically-inclined kids, primary and secondary kitchens… the list of add-ons sound preposterous. But that’s what makes luxury living so different from what it was even a decade ago, when all that mattered to make a statement were flamboyant furniture, oxidised antiques and imported marble.

It’s an era of specialisation. Luxury homes are increasingly designed to specific needs. Builders, architects and interior designers assert it’s not about snob value, but about genuinely feeling the need for these value additions. “Today’s clients are well informed and constantly updated about global trends, facilities and features. They are willing to pay for high-end international features and specifications. The result, an all-new luxury experience,” says Anand Nagpal, CMD, RFPL Properties.

Whether it is an independent home, villa or spacious apartment, the accent is now on taking luxury to another level. People are looking beyond the mandatory branded faucets and modular kitchens for that extra something to make a home special and individualistic. “Upscale in today’s environment is about making a living space as bespoke as possible. It’s about addressing the client’s tomorrow’s needs today,” says Gaurav Goenka of Adroit Urban Developers. “And that starts from efficient space design, which I see as the next big thing.”

Indeed space spells luxury. And that’s why lavish private parties at home are haute and happening these days. Builders are keen on incorporating party spaces in well-laid out landscaped terraces and sprawling gardens. Vijay Shanthi’s ongoing project The Art in upmarket Nungambakkam has a “special garden space that doubles as entertainment area.” According to Suresh Jain, MD, Vijay Shanthi Builders Ltd., “It’s the ‘x’ factor that counts. It can be about allocation of space for private terrace and large balconies or providing facilities such as party lawn, barbeque area, decks, gazebos and lounges.”

The two-kitchen concept is another trend that clients and promoters are gravitating to. “It’s an international trend that’s catching on real fast. It’s practical and allows hassle-free maintenance,” says Nagpal. According to architects/interior designers, the two-kitchen concept is usually executed in homes spanning over 4, 000 sq. ft. The dry one is open to the family room/dining room and features appliances, refrigerator, cooking range for heating, etc. It’s usually a clutter-free modular unit. The wet kitchen is where the heavy-duty cooking and washing take place and the smells are sealed there!

When buyers are talking plan, they are obviously thinking long-term, considering the increasing demand for residential elevators. The non-invasive installation process, compact size, pricing (Rs. 4 lakh upwards) and range of finishes to suit different decors make them a much-sought-after fixture in new homes. It’s a practical solution when mobility is a concern or when you have to carry a lot of weight. Most villas coming up in the city have elevators. People building independent homes too have them on their list of priorities.

That the future is about “smart homes” is evident from the features builders offer. When Akshaya Ltd. launched its 38-floor Abov, wide publicity was given to the touch pad controls. Trend-watchers reveal that this is a new dimension to luxury — to sit in one place, control and monitor the entire home!

Centralised music with touch pad controls, panic switches in bedrooms and even glass-break detectors are add-ons now provided by promoters like the AR Group.

Customised gym, spa, massage and yoga rooms are other aspects that add to the wow factor in affluent living. This is usually a discreet space that’s functional in purpose and motivating in décor. Spa with Jacuzzi, massage room with specialised furniture and accessories and calm-pervading yoga rooms are also becoming a huge trend.

Ready to live it up?

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Gardens can be great training grounds for fitness buffs.

Add trails for jogging. Build benches for workouts. Use trees and fence posts for stretching. Lose even more calories by squatting or lifting while weeding, planting, hauling and digging.

You can personalize your garden to fit your energy level. Equipment such as exercise beams and conditioning ladders are inexpensive and simple to make, while portable gear like weighted rollers, jump ropes, dumbbells and Swiss balls can be eased into the routines.

“If you have children’s play equipment, it is easy to add a pull-up bar or climbing frame for adults to a tree house,” said Bunny Guinness, a landscape architect who runs a garden design business near Peterborough in central England.

Gardening in and of itself can be a formidable calorie burner, said Guinness, who with physiotherapist Jacqueline Knox wrote “Garden Your Way to Health and Fitness” (Timber Press. 2008).

Regular physical activity reduces the risk of many illnesses, and gardening can provide it, said Margaret Hagen, an educator with University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.

“Raking is like using a rowing machine,” Hagen said. “Turning a compost pile is similar to lifting weights. Carry a gallon sprinkling can of water in each hand and you’ve got 8-pound dumbbells. Pushing a lawnmower is like walking on a treadmill, only much more interesting.”

Even more calories are burned when calisthenics are included in the mix. Add push-ups, chin-ups, bridging, power lunges and dips to the workouts.

Warm up before you begin to avoid cramping and joint pain. Pace yourself. Hydrate, especially if you’re gardening out in the sun. Avoid bending by using telescoping pruners, edgers and weeders. Opt for lightweight and easy-to-grip hand tools.

“One of the things I like most about gardening is that because you stretch and move in so many directions, it works all your muscle groups, releasing tension everywhere in your body,” Hagen said.

Don’t forget to include mental health in your landscape design. Add tranquil herb gardens, soothing fountains and small sitting areas for meditation, relaxing and cooling off.

The humble zinc has emerged on top among materials that offer roofing solutions.

With the cost of construction shooting through the roof, a host of new roofing materials carry a promise against a hole in your pocket. The days RCC ruled the roost are clearly passé. A variety of metals and materials of polyvinyl genre are offering solutions that ensure a roof over every head. And to boot, they are cheaper, durable as well as recyclable.

The humble zinc has emerged on top among materials that offer roofing solutions. Zinc is a natural element that takes very little energy to manufacture compared to other metals used in equivalent applications. Rolled zinc is unique in that it reacts to the main components of the atmosphere by creating a self-protective coating. Thanks to the latter, zinc can easily last a hundred years. Rolled zinc is also 100 per cent recyclable and 95 per cent of it is effectively recovered and re-used in different areas of applications. It is also amenable to use as a cladding material for facades, interiors and partitions.

Long life

Nilesh Kumar from Umicore, a company that manufactures rolled zinc products sold under the brand ‘vmzinc’, says his company’s perforated zinc rolls could ensure a life of 80 to 100 years and are totally rain-proof. These could be used for all kinds of buildings such as schools, villas, bungalows, apartments, religious places and ordinary houses. However, zinc is not the sole metal that goes into ‘vmzinc’. The manufacturers use an alloy of zinc, titanium and copper. Thomas George, the company’s Bangalore-based regional sales manager, says that the cost ranges from Rs. 400 to Rs. 850 per sq. ft including the cost of installation of such roofs together with accessories. Curiously, Umicore has also come out with zinc-made sunshades, louvers as well as perforated partitions which while being see-through from inside obscure the inside view and allow rooms to be airy.

Installation

The zinc sheets could be installed vertically, horizontally, diagonally or as shingles, imparting traditional aesthetics. George says schools, public buildings and exhibitions centres install zinc roof in Europe not merely as a measure of cost-cutting but also for aesthetics. “You could dare to be creative with the material”, he claims.

Architect John Ronan used zinc-perforated sheets to clad the street-side exterior of the Poetry Centre in downtown Chicago (see picture) with a veil of perforated black zinc and erected a monument clothed in a visual filter. “This exceptional element lets passers-by know that they are walking by a cultural building. Ronan could have chosen the screen-printed text for the glass walls too (as we see in several Vayu Vajra buses in Bangalore). But he did not. This 1,900 sq. m building blends quietly into the surrounding urban fabric in a dual present-absent mode. The popularity of zinc with the newly trained architects in the West has in fact led to launch of a magazine on the topic, Archi Zinc Trophy, dedicated to zinc architecture. It is published in five European languages.

Tiles made of organic fibres together with high grade bitumen are also recyclable and amenable to versatile use in roofs. These tiles are light-weight, water-proof and carry the promise of retarding the pitter-patter (noise) of rain by 70 per cent. Onduline, a French company, has begun manufacturing Onduvilla tiles in Bangalore in both traditional format and sheet profiles. Puneet Patil, representative of Onduvilla, says these tiles are highly aesthetic in nature and are ideal for farmhouses, ashrams, schools, terrace coverings for standalone garages, villas, pavilion, and even for wall cladding. They can withstand the fall of coconuts or jumping monkeys. Though only meant for the final roof in multi-storey structures, they work out cheaper than RCC and are comparable with metal roofs. Interestingly, the company has recycled two lakh tonnes of material and earned carbon credits.

Patil dispels the fear that the tiles have an element of asbestos and says the tiles or sheets provide a lot of thermal and acoustic comfort. Sound-dampening effectiveness allows their use in schools and colleges where showers may interrupt classes.

In order to make the tiles totally seep-proof, specialised screws are provided to fasten them with the metal substructure. The screws, besides being layered with washers, come with a hat-like cap for covering the upturned end.

Roof gardens

For roof garden enthusiasts who harbour fears regarding inadequate drainage leading to seepage or dampness, Germany’s Doerken company has introduced Delta Terraxx, which is a dimpled sheet with welded geotextile installed as a protection-cum-drainage layer to the basement and its waterproofing system. These sheets are rot-proof, resist saline solution, inorganic acids, and alkalies, and can also be suitable for foundation-wall protection and drainage.

Sujay Shah, Managing Partner of Doerken GmbH, says civil structures in India are still not certified for drainage norms as no yardsticks are in place. Often dampness is misconstrued as inadequate drainage. He says these norms were initially standardised in Germany and were later recognised for worldwide application. For instance, for horizontal plain surfaces, the norm is .03 litre per metre per second while for vertical plain surfaces it is .3 litre per metre/second.

He says application of these norms will allow many building owners to go for roof gardens by laying membranes beneath the soil.

Laying such membranes has a side benefit too. In case of heavy downpours, these membranes will slow down the rain run-off and will help avoid water-logging or flooding on the street and basement.

Says Shah, a 150-page book on green roof and drainage solution has been published in Germany. Doerken was engaged for water-proofing the 57-km Gottherd tunnel in Switzerland.

Even the under-construction Marriott Hotel in Whitefield is using Delta Terraxx for green roof.

Gorgeously merchandized, the store sells live plants and cut flowers, a variety of glass, wood, and porcelain vessels, reclaimed furniture, wood containers, stone accent tables, woven baskets, and antique objects Hall finds on scouting trips around the world. He lures shoppers with tempting little groups of vignettes that stir inspiration and offer a vision of how his many wares could fit into a home or garden.

Glass pieces throughout the store are mostly from Sempre, a Belgium-headquartered company that has simple yet fanciful designs often in oversized shapes. These large glass domes intrigue by showcasing Hall’s artful plant styling.

Along with snipped buds, long boughs of cut branches, orchids, and baskets of pinecones, there’s bright live greenery like these cypress plants in porcelain vases (small $40, large $50).

A slice of lava stone ($75) holds 25 tea lights and tops off a lava stone cube (or any surface), making an ordinary patio or garden something much more romantic.

Hall has timed his spring orders so that when he returns from a Paris buying trip in March, he’ll begin to introduce new collections while continuously blending in new and antique items. Complete remerchandising is expected by the end of March with the focus, he says, on “outdoor products designed to enhance outdoor living spaces.”

Hall’s business plan includes remerchandising and styling at the turn of each season. He plans to do it all while keeping up with Marc Hall Design and the prestigious floral services and events it brings in. Busy man.

Brian J Huntley’s Kirstenbosch Recommended for Garden Design Inspiration

 
In an article for the Weekend Argus, Kay Montgomery has suggested some starting points for those planning their gardens for the year ahead. Landscape design shows are useful for gathering ideas as they reveal trends for the upcoming year, Montgomery says. She also recommends Brian J Huntley’s newly published book, Kirstenbosch: The most beautiful garden in Africa, for garden design inspiration:

Cape Town – January is the time to sit back and gaze at your garden. Look carefully at the way you have designed your beds and planted up the borders, and consider what you might do differently this year.

Each year, landscape design shows reveal design trends for the upcoming year. Many gardeners look to the Chelsea Garden Show to glean the latest garden design trends, and this year’s 100th show (May 21-25) is set to be a major event on the international gardening calendar.

• Complete article: IOL Lifestyle

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• Kirstenbosch: The most beautiful garden in Africa by Brian J Huntley
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Cats: Nature, Non-fiction, South Africa
Tags: Brian J Huntley, English, Garden Design, Gardening, Ideas, Inspiration, IOL Lifestyle, Kay Montgomery, Kirstenbosch, Landscape Design, Landscaping, Nature, Non-fiction, South Africa, Struik Nature, The most beautiful garden in Africa, Weekend Argus
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For Christina Salwitz, it’s always been about design. A double major in fashion and marketing, she could work magic putting together a sharp outfit. It served her well as a Personal Shopper for Nordstrom. But after the birth of her daughter, Christina was ready to discover something different.

“After 10 years as a stay-at-home mom, I started working at a local nursery. I realized this is what I was meant to do,” she says. Studying horticulture, Salwitz became a personal gardening consultant, helping homeowners put together gardens filled with color, texture and variety. Not unlike her job as a personal shopper, Salwitz takes unusual plants and foliage and puts together a delightful combination that pops with eye catching color and design. “It’s like a recipe that comes together,” Salwitz says, “like polka dots, prints and stripes; you know it looks good but you don’t always know why. I wanted people to know how they can achieve that in their gardens.” She has been the owner of Personal Garden Coach, and a contributing author to several magazines, including Fine Gardening and Birds Blooms.

Finding a kindred spirit in Karen Chapman, owner of Seattle’s le jardinet, a custom container garden design service, they got to work on a one-of-a-kind gardening book that is both coffee table worthy and DIY friendly for the green thumbs in your life. They call it Fine Foliage.

credit: Ashley DeLatour

“It’s a sophisticated book,” Salwitz explains. “It’s filled with super gorgeous, juicy photographs and two-page spreads showing ‘why this works’.”

The book covers sun and shade combinations, and plants for every zone across the US. “In such a small book, we covered a lot of territory,” Salwitz laughs. “Karen and I spent a whole spring and summer putting together beautiful photographs and making a simple, straightforward book.” She praises the work of Seattle professional photographer Ashley DeLatour, whom she said contributed “90% of the photographs” to the collection.

The book will make its debut at the Northwest Flower Garden Show, February 20 -24, at Seattle’s Washington State Convention Center.

Christina Salwitz and Karen Chapman will be featured speakers on Sunday, February 24. At 10:45am they will talk about “Bold Elegant Plant Combinations” and “Show Stopping Ideas for Containers Borders”, followed by a book signing of Fine Foliage at 11:45am.

Karen Chapman will also host a DIY seminar on Wednesday, February 20 at 11:15am. Her topic will be “Container Gardens That Really Work”.

Tickets to the Northwest Flower Garden show are available online HERE, or by calling 800-343-6973.

For more about the book, Fine Foliage, visit online at http://www.fine-foliage.com.

credit: Ashley DeLatour

Visit Christina Salwitz and Karen Chapman at the Northwest Flower Garden Show, and look for an upcoming feature article about Christina Salwitz in the October, 2013 Better Homes Gardens Magazine.

 

– written by Tama Fulton, CBS Local Seattle 

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The Garden Club meets at the Medford Public Library, 111 High St., in the Magoun Room at 7 p.m.: Feb. 7: “Demetra, of Gardens”

Ever wonder why your garden doesn’t quite fit the space it is in? Why your house might not seem as grounded as others in your neighborhood? Or why your garden leaves you feeling it just isn’t quite “right?”

Scale is often what is missing in home gardens. “Demetra, of Gardens” by Demetra, will focus in her comments and slides on simple design strategies that will grow your garden from good to great!

Bring your questions, as there will be plenty of time to explore specific garden design issues as well as general questions.

To join the Garden Club, contact Sarah Cummer at sbcummer@msn.com

The decorators, all dressed in pink, (shown here) were led by Karen Artigliere, center, of Washington Township. Additional members include, Denise Coleman of Washington Township, Barbara Typinski of Oxford, Patti-Sue Rolak of Washington Township, Toni Trovato of Great Meadows, and Anne Smith and Sharon App, both of Washington Township.

 

Warren Garden Club was again asked to design and install holiday decorations in the library at Drumthwacket, the official residence of the Governor of New Jersey in Princeton. All the rooms were themed to match ‘Songs of the Season.’

Specifically, the library was to be transformed into a ‘Winter Wonderland.’ The team worked hard to make the elegant, dark paneled room come alive with a mixture of real and snowy artificial greenery, real birch tree branches, ornaments, pinecones and lights.

One could even see a cardinal or two perched in a nest within the magical display. This year two urns were placed on either side of the doorway. The highlight of the beautifully decorated urns were the large frosted mercury ball ornaments that gave the appearance of gazing balls.

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“He really likes it. He created this charity himself and he got it off the ground, so I really want to do him proud,” added the landscape designer.

Harry’s garden, which was sponsored by home improvement company BQ, will also feature willows, which are found in the damp valleys of Lesotho in southern Africa.

Prince Charles’s younger son became involved in the campaign to help African children whose lives were devastated by Aids. He is keen to follow in the footsteps of his mother’s charity work.

The prince set up Sentebale in 2006 to provide children in Lesotho with healthcare, hot meals and education.

The charity started out small, with just £250,000 in funds for 2007. It has survived early controversy, having been criticised for high start-up costs and spending too much on administration, with not enough on direct help for the poor.

Prince Harry has described its progress as a “roller-coaster” since it began. The latest figures show it brings in more than £2 million per year.

Chief executive Cathy Ferrier reveals that the charity will expand into five countries and hopes to increase its income to £8 million.

Kate Middleton Topless: Royal Couple Order New Swimming Pool to Beat Prying Paparazzi

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