Don’t worry, it’s just an art installation entitled, “Inversion,” by Dan Havel and Dean Ruck. via Nick Douglas

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Hat tip to Zillow Blog

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“The dazzling LuxTouch creation is a black marble tile inlaid with 95 brilliant cut diamonds, mother of pearl and abalone. The centre of the tile consists of a pitch-black agate circle inlaid with 19 diamonds and a mother of pearl flower petal pattern radiates outwards from the centre. Each of the petals is a single piece of mother of pearl inlaid with a large precious cut diamond and the black agate pieces between the petals are also inlaid with diamonds. The tile’s four corners are inlaid with mother of pearl and abalone shell, achieving a visually stunning counter balance with the radiating flower petals. ”

If you can afford these then obviously your not too worried about the economy so go get them!

Via Luxist

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Via Charles and Hudson

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As discussed in the article Why Build a Home with Concrete, concrete homes offer many advantages over stick-built homes, including energy efficiency, non-toxic materials, and high durability. The drawbacks were also pointed out: concrete is not a renewable resource verses trees, which can be replanted.

Concrete homes look exactly the same as any other home, both inside and out. There are a few different options to choose from for constructing a concrete home, and the decision as to which one to use is really up to you and your contractor’s recommendation for your area.

• Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) have the most publicity and are well-known for their solid, lasting construction and foam insulation.
• Removable Forms (cast-in-place) use temporary forms made out of aluminum. Foam insulation is placed inside the forms, and then the concrete is pourd around the foam.
• Panel systems have been used in Europe for over two decades, and only recently became available in America. The concrete panels are pre-fabricated off of house plans in a concrete plant, then delivered to the job site complete with steel reinforced walls, foam insulation, electrical wiring, and cut-outs for windows and doors.
• Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is a system consisting of blocks held together by mortar. These systems are more technologically advanced than the standard mortared block wall. Manufactured through a method that causes the concrete to rise like bread dough, the end result consists of more than 80% air, and can be molded to fit any design.
• Shotcrete is another method where the concrete is shot under pressure onto forms to form walls, floors, and roofs.

Concrete homes can save you up to 25% on your homeowner’s insurance premiums. Although not a renewable resource as trees are, they are made from partially recycled materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Additionally, their longevity allows for little maintenance or repair and will last for several years, preventing the need for consumption of more materials. Their energy efficiency makes them an appealing choice for consumers, predicting a strong future and growth in the usage of concrete products in home building. Discuss with your contractor the feasibility and benefits of using concrete in your new home or remodel.

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1. Save the money. Perhaps the most cost effective way to finance a remodel is to use your own funds. Unless you tap into your savings or investment accounts, many don’t have thousands readily available. Consider, however, how you can possibly pinch a bit here and there to come up with as much money as possible. Try eliminating one meal out a week, or that daily $3.50 cup of coffee. Over a month’s time that equals $105. Reduce your gas expenditures by combining trips, walking more, or riding bikes. (Get in shape at the same time!) Maybe you can rearrange your vacation plans a bit; save the more elaborate trip for next year and just visit family this year. These are just a few examples of how you can be resourceful to save the fees and interest associated with borrowing money. Furthermore, with the uncertain economy right now, avoiding unnecessary debt is always a wise move. A lesson many of us learned as children; saving for something special is always more rewarding than just having money handed to you that you have to pay back with interest!
2. Obtain private financing. You may be surprised to discover how many of your friends and family may be interested in lending you the money with interest. Banks are only offering a measly 3.34% on cds, and an even lower rate for savings accounts. If you offer any rate higher than that, you will present an appealing opportunity for someone. Obviously, it is a higher risk investment than a bank, but just adjust the interest rate accordingly. As long as you write it up as a business transaction, complete with monthly payments and a length of loan, you should have no problems. Taking this route will allow you to avoid loan fees.
3. Use a credit card. Maybe it’s time to start paying closer attention to those pesky credit card offers that you’re always throwing away as they arrive in the mail. If you have a good credit score, you may be able to get a no-fee, low interest rate card. Be sure to make sure the rate is locked in for plenty of time; some of those cards will jump to a horrendous rate within a short period of time.
4. Obtain an equity line of credit. A lending institution will assess the value of your home through an appraisal. They will subtract what you owe from this amount and that determines the equity in your home. They will then lend you a percentage of this amount in an equity line of credit. Many institutions offer this loan without charging any fees, and with a fairly low interest rate. Bank of America is offering one such program right now for up to $500,000.
5. Check into Government Loans. The government offers some incentives for homeowners to renovate through two lending programs: the 203K Loan and the FHA Title 1 Loan. As with most government funded programs, there is certain criteria you must meet in order to qualify. Check it out, you may qualify for more than you expect.

Don’t allow financial concerns to impede your renovation progress. Talk to your bank, mortgage company, or financial advisor and discuss which options are available to you. There are other loans you can obtain as well, such as a general construction loan. With the reduced demand for new construction, many contractors have more time right now and have lowered their rates. What better time to tackle a remodel project?

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