Smart Homes November 2013

Inspirational By Design

From The Editor

T

ON THE COVER: A Traditional Barbadian Chattel House in St. Joseph PHOTOGRAPHER: Dan Christaldi

Credits PUBLISHER: Vivian-Anne Gittens EDITOR: Tyson Weekes ADVERTISING MANAGER: Paulette Jones WRITERS: Nick Nunes, Natalia Nunes, Lyle Jones, Tyson Weekes Sheree-Ann McDonald, Cherita O’Dell, First Citizens Bank PHOTOGRAPHY: Jabari Clarke, Dan Christaldi DESIGN/LAYOUT: Imageworx ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES: Adrian Bowen – Tel: (246) 430-5519 Email: adrianbowen@nationnews.com

here’s something about this time of the year that causes many of us to think of new ways to transform our homes into showpieces. Perhaps it’s the anticipated influx of visits from loved ones that inspires us to seek new ways to create a wow factor in and around our homes, either with a couple coats of paint or a major makeover. With tips from local professionals and experts, this issue of Smart Homes will show you how to maximize the potential of every inch of your home – both inside and out.

It will also help you to tackle the range of issues that every homeowner faces, such as energy efficiency, colour choices, storage (or lack thereof ), and décor.

Over the past few months the experience of these issues during my home makeover taught me a lot – from conceptualization to execution. As you may already know, renovating or redecorating any room in your home is an investment of both time and money, but trust me – seeing your ideas materialize to breathe new life into an existing space makes the process worth it!

Just imagine the adoration of your project from loved ones when it is completed, just as you first imagined. This issue will help you accomplish that, by sharing advice and ideas that will help you give your home the look you want at a price you can afford. We are excited to be a part of your home makeover journey!

Arguably indigenous to Barbados, the design of the iconic Chattel House has given aesthetic pleasure while withstanding weather systems and maintaining cool interiors (even on the warmest days). Because design trends are cyclical, our cover story will identify some of the most timeless features of traditional Barbadian home design and examine how they are applied in today’s modern structures.

As a bonus, to help you with your holiday shopping, we’ve compiled a list of gift ideas just for you.

I do hope you enjoy this edition of Smart Homes as much as we have enjoyed producing it for you. Feel free to share your views, we’d love to hear from you.

Kelly Johnally – Tel: (246) 430-5515 Email: kellyjohnally@nationnews.com EDITOR Donna Francis – Tel: (246) 430-2868 Email: donnafrancis@nationnews.com Debbie Brathwaite – Tel: (246) 430-5518 Email: debbiebrathwaite@nationnews.com

PRINTERS: Printweb Caribbean Ltd. (246) 434-6719

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SMART HOMES OCTOBER 2013

Smart Homes is produced by The Nation Publishing Co. Limited; a subsidiary of The Nation Corporation, which is a member of the One Caribbean Media Limited (OCM) group of companies. For general info email: smarthomes@nationnews.com.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this magazine is accurate, however, The Nation Publishing Co. Limited cannot be held responsible for any consequences that may arise from any errors or omissions. This publication cannot be copied in whole or in part without the explicit permission of the Publisher. ©2013 NATION PUBLISHING CO. LIMITED

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CONTENTS OCTOBER 2013

06 Ready To Buy? Now What?

07 Retrofitting For The Future 10 I Love What You’ve Done With The Place 12 About Energy Efficiency 16 Home Cooling Tips And Alternatives 18 Facelifts For Your Home 22 Smart Design: A Lasting Legacy 28 Treat Your Home . . . And Theirs

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30 Declutter . . . Enjoy Life More 32 1-2-3 Makeovers: Bedroom – What Inspires You? 33 Do-Over Bathroom With A Good Paint Job

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34 Dining Room – Change Your Focus 36 Pick A Mood For Your Room 40 Inviting Outdoor Spaces: The Allure Of Kitchens 43 Exterior Lighting: The Efficient Way 44 Protecting You: 15 Things You Should Know 46 Building A Place For Peace

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INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

5

INVESTMENT

READY TO

BUY?

NOW WHAT? Story by Cherita O’dell

Buying property in Barbados is quite easy with regard to expenses

B

uying property in Barbados is quite easy with regard to expenses, it’s the same for both nationals and non-nationals. It is advised that prospective buyers meet with their financial institution first to determine what they qualify for before starting their property search. This helps to expedite the process once a binding agreement is entered into. The services of a real estate agent, approved by the Barbados Estate Agents and Valuers Association, are recommended. This helps to facilitate the property hunt and provides access to free advice, as the realtor is paid by the vendor.

Local purchasers may find banks offering down payments of five to ten per cent with payment periods of 25 to 30 years.

There are several banks which cater to non-nationals and may offer international mortgages. The down payment may be 20 to 30 per cent with the payment period sometimes being 15 years or less.

Purchasers must utilize the services of a local registered attorney to transact the sale, which on average may take three to five months once there are no encumbrances. Property passes by conveyance of title, evidenced by the recording of the deeds and certified survey plans at the registry of title. Legal fees for the purchaser are legislated in the range of one to three per cent on

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SMART HOMES OCTOBER 2013

a sliding scale plus 17.5 per cent value added tax. The purchaser and vendor are responsible for their own legal fees.

Non-nationals should note that funds brought into the island need to be registered with the Central Bank as a formality. Your attorney or banker would coordinate this with the Exchange Control Division. This ensures that as a foreign investor your funds are protected, therefore if you want to sell in the future, repatriation of these funds would be seamless.

On signing the sales agreement, a ten per cent deposit is required which the vendor’s attorney holds in escrow. The balance is then due on the transfer of deeds and is payable to the vendor’s attorney.

It should be noted that a purchaser does not have to pay the property transfer tax, only the vendor. In addition to legal fees, the purchaser should budget to pay their portion of the land tax, property insurance and stamp duty.

Now, armed with this information, getting started should be a whole lot easier. Let the hunt begin.

• Cherita O’dell Real estate broker for Barbados Real Estate 246 and Million Dollar Homes and member of the executive committee of the Barbados Estate Agents and Valuers Association.

TECH

Can you imagine locking your doors, activating your lights and managing your climate control all from your touch-screen device? You don’t have to, the technology is available in Barbados today.

RETROFITTING

FOR THE

FUTURE Story by Nick Nunes

T CONTROL 4 Technological advances empower you to do even more with your remote control, smart TV and tablet.

he wave of technological advances over the past decade has displayed itself as a tsunami of advances with a crest far above the horizon.

Every day the potential of new discovery and application of futuristic tech is being put to use, raising comfort levels and making life easier.

The technowave has already breached homes in obvious ways, but surfing atop this dynamic powerhouse affords a vista to even greater things.

Home automation is not some distant George Jetson ideal because the future is now. There are many innovative products on the market today that can be used to retrofit any home with luxuries unimaginable from just a decade in the past.

A few years ago, palm pilots and cellular phones were sparse gadgets of creative genius but today every cellphone on the market holds more processing potential than the Apollo space rockets that ferried man to the moon. The cellphones and tablets of today showcase even greater power when applied to home modification.

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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TECH

Imagine waking up in the morning and, with the touch of your finger or even a voice command, being able to open window blinds, prepare coffee, turn on and off essential systems and have your home learn the patterns of your life to suit your convenience.

The small touch-screen devices that are so prevalent today have the capability to manage your household in more ways than keeping memos and organizing calendars. Smart homes need not to be freshly built and entangled from the foundation up in new tech because the same industrial evolutions can be retrofitted to any home harbouring electrical outlets and an Internet connection.

Imagine being able to arm your home alarm system from your phone. That is not a difficult idea to co-opt, but now imagine controlling the locking of doors, turning on and off of lights, managing sound systems and climate control as well. These are all capabilities that can be retrofitted to your home today.

In the realm of offering dynamic technologies to homeowners, there are a multitude of companies offering advances in tech to support the integration of efficiency and innovation into the hands of homeowners without the exclusion of retrograde homes.

The cost of maintaining a home is no small penance and seeking a means to cut the corners of energy costs should be on the minds of all. With advances in optimal lighting efficacy, a superficial revamping of your home electronics could be the ticket to a reduced monthly bill.

Smart lighting solutions seem to be leading the cusp of home automation. It is efficient and easy to upgrade a home with smart bulbs and modest smart systems before taking a big plunge into the pool of full home automation. Many homeowners can retrofit their home lighting for convenience, security and energy savings as a test before delving into full automation which can lead the way to full integration of space-age systems.

Many homeowners will think that the innovations sound

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SMART HOMES OCTOBER 2013

wonderful but would obviously require international retrieval in order to apply them in the Barbadian environment. However, products from companies such as Control4 and Sonos are currently available at SmartStore Inc. in the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre in Holetown, St James.

SmartStore Inc. offers solutions for home upgrades to the smart lifestyle and the integration of technology into home life for energy savings and ease of living. Control4 systems are one of the many products on the market that offer resolute answers to retrofitting homes with top-of-the-line technologies. With these types of systems, using a smartphone or tablet to control energy output, lighting, climate control, security systems and entertainment consoles is only a finger swipe away.

The fast and hard point of incorporating high-tech innovations into the home has to be the value of complete integration. With the ability to control almost all of your home’s entertainment and security features wirelessly, the cost of energy, both electrical and personal, is cut drastically.

Imagine waking up in the morning and, with the touch of your finger or even a voice command, being able to open window blinds, prepare coffee, turn on and off essential systems and have your home learn the patterns of your life to suit your convenience.

The systems of the future will put such luxuries as science fiction’s artificial intelligence to shame with the ease of complete control of automated integration for home, work and leisure devices making a smarter lifestyle a step away.

In the words of Dennis Gabor, Nobel Prize winner in physics: “We cannot predict the future, but we can invent it.”

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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INVESTMENT

So whether you’re adding bumblebee yellow to your walls or a new deck to your patio, making home improvements can lead to increased personal wealth.

Story by First Citizens Bank

I LOVE WHAT YOU’VE DONE

WITH THE PLACE

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SMART HOMES OCTOBER 2013

H

ome improvement isn’t only about making your home look smarter. It’s also about being financially smarter.

Touch-ups, remodelling or “feng shuiing” your home can actually improve your property’s value and are smart investments for many homeowners. So whether you’re adding bumblebee yellow to your walls or a new deck to your patio, making home improvements can lead to increased personal wealth.

You may be considering selling or renting your property in the future. Or your property may even be passed down to your children or grandchildren eventually. In either case, maintaining a high property value through home improvement is a smart investment. Land and property prices in Barbados generally follow an upward trend, and through continuous home improvements you can ensure that your property is at the top of this valuation ladder.

There are several things you can do to boost your valuation without putting a burden on your pocket.

General repairs such as fixing broken fences, repairing a ceiling, installing security systems or improving kerb appeal through landscaping are all economical ways to increase your property’s worth.

Improving the value of your property can also help the environment. Installing solar energy systems can achieve this by reducing the use of fossil fuels and, at the same time, increase your property’s value. You may also be eligible for tax incentives.

If you are interested in retrofitting your home or carrying out other extensive repairs, you can seek the assistance of financial institutions to finance the improvements and help preserve your current cash flow.

Personal loans or financing specifically designed for home improvements are strong options for homeowners. Home equity loans which are based on the value of your property can also be considered.

If you wish to make the move to upgrade your property or simply to add a bit of personality while increasing the value of your home, contact a trusted financial institution to get a better idea of your financial options.

GOING GREEN

ABOUT ENERGY

EFFICIENCY A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW Story by Tyson Weekes

W

ith energy costs steadily rising in sync with the country’s average daily temperatures, there are now several alternatives on the market to help reduce these costs without sacrificing your lifestyle.

The increased feasibility of residential solar energy installation has eased the process of transforming your home into a smart energy space that consumes less energy while providing the same level of comfort.

Although many Barbadians are making efforts to reduce energy use at home, the amount of energy used by households across the country is increasing as more, and often larger, homes are built. Adding to this, the use of household appliances is also on the rise.

The best time to think about ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home is when you’re building a new home or renovating. Even if you live in an older home, you can still make considerable energy savings by ensuring that it is upgraded to include energyefficient appliances and features.

Be warned – while this is an exciting time, upgrading can also be complicated and stressful. Evaluate the usage and efficiency of your electrical appliances. Your choices can improve not only your lifestyle and comfort but can cut your utility bills for many years to come.

According to experts at Innogen, a local company pioneering in solar energy solutions, a smart energy home can reduce power consumption by 40 per cent through conservation measures and by using energy-efficient technologies such as digital inverter refrigerators, induction stoves, LED lighting, induction lamps, LED televisions and front loading washing machines, just to list a few.

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TECH

Carlton Cummins, an energy auditor at Innogen, explained that the concept of energy efficiency was to reduce the total energy consumption as close as possible to what was needed, via the omission of wastage and optimization of processes.

“With respect to the home, energy efficiency often speaks to electricity which is often the greatest contributor to utility costs. Home electrical energy efficiency issues are often due to energy consumption and are the result of the cumulative effect of several devices left in operation or specific inefficient culprit appliances which drive consumption,” Cummins said.

Save Energy, Save Money • • •

• • • •

Ten per cent of energy is used by electronic appliances left plugged in but not in use.

Turning off lights can save five per cent on your energy bill.

Energy star related LED televisions use 25 per cent less energy than LCD televisions and 1/3 less than cathode ray tube televisions.

The average laptop uses three to four times less energy than a desktop computer with similar performance.

Refrigerators manufactured before 2008 use about 60 per cent more energy than more recent models.

Top loading washers use 80 per cent more energy than front loading washers.

LEDs and induction lamps use 80 per cent less energy than incandescent and halogen lights.

If you are making improvements to your home, consider the longterm benefits of making energy efficiency upgrades at the same time. Not only does it work out cheaper to do everything at once – you will save money on your energy bills in the future as well.

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INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

15

COOLING

Reflecting heat

HOME COOLING TIPS

by Tyson Weekes

H

ome cooling does not have to mean switching on the air conditioning (AC) and watching your energy bill skyrocket. If you have been reliant on AC to stay cool, or you are seriously considering installing AC, there are some alternatives that will have you saving money and decreasing your carbon output.

Maintaining cool interior temperatures when it is hot outdoors is a daily problem for Barbadians. This is caused by the searing sun beating down on our homes which then causes indoor temperatures to rise to uncomfortable levels. Air conditioning provides some relief and in spite of an increase in homeowners investing in the solution, the costs of installing and using AC are exorbitant. In addition, conventional AC units use refrigerants made of chlorine compounds, which have long been suspected contributors to the depletion of the ozone layer and global warming.

The most effective method to cool your home is to keep the heat from building up in the first place. The main cause of heat build-up is sunlight absorbed by your home through the roof, walls and windows. Secondary sources are heat-generating appliances in the home. An alternative way to maintain a cool house is through natural (or passive) cooling, which uses non-mechanical methods to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

Dull, dark-coloured home exteriors absorb more than half of the radiant energy from the sun that strikes the home’s surfaces.

Some of this absorbed energy is then transferred into your home by way of conduction, resulting in heat gain. In contrast, lightcoloured surfaces effectively reflect most of the heat away from your home.

According to the United States Department of Energy, approximately one-third of the unwanted heat that builds up in your home comes in through the roof. While this is hard to control with traditional roofing materials, one good solution is to apply a reflective coating of paint to your existing roof.

White Roof Project is an ongoing campaign in the United States to reduce the exterior and interior temperatures throughout the country. Even though American homes are primarily constructed using asphalt-based roofing – compared to Barbados’ popular galvanized roofing – the concept of painting your roof white can still be emulated here.

The statistical evidence by itself is compelling: a roof covered with solar reflective white paint reflects up to 90 per cent of sunlight. In homes with ceiling fans and AC units, painting the roof white will reduce cooling costs significantly.

Roughly 40 per cent of the unwanted heat that builds up in your home comes in through the windows. Reflective window coatings are one way to reflect heat away from your home. These coatings are plastic sheets treated with dyes or thin layers of metal.

Besides keeping your house cooler, these reflective coatings cut glare and reduce fading of furniture, draperies and carpeting.

Bear in mind that many of these films are tinted, however, and tend to reduce light transmission as much as they reduce heat, thereby potentially darkening the room because they can reflect as much as 80 per cent of the incoming sunlight.

AND ALTERNATIVES Story by Tyson Weekes

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INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

17

DÉCOR

Fashion is not only fickle where clothes and make-up are concerned; home decor changes constantly too. The economic situation, however, often dictates whether a complete or just a mini facelift is our reality.

FACELIFTS FOR YOUR

HOME Story by Natalia Nunes

A

lthough the economy may scream: “Halt! Stop spending so much!” Why wouldn’t we want a change every now and then? Fashion is not only fickle where clothes and make-up are concerned; home decor changes constantly too. The economic situation, however, often dictates whether a complete or just a mini facelift is our reality.

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Let’s say you now find any room boring. What do you absolutely hate about it and what can you live with? A quick fix is paint, and it’s not too expensive. Don’t be afraid of paint; it can always be changed.

Do consider the colours you choose though and if you are unsure, go to a recognized paint shop. The staff is trained to help customers who don’t find colour coordinating a breeze.

Not all four walls get totally dirty and if a gallon is too much for your purse, then wash three walls with light soap and water to refresh them. Buy a small can of paint in your favourite colour, choose one wall, and there you have an accent wall. If your paint is fine and you just want a different look, simple moulding strips of wood are great ways to create mega differences. If you didn’t have base boards before or mouldings where the walls meet the ceiling – go ahead and add them; you’ll be happy you did. Remember to paint or stain the wood.

Wood is a great medium to use and it makes a huge impact. Find the width of your larger wall, divide it in three, measure out three equal frames and create rectangular or square borders using thin strips of moulding. Attach them to the wall with fine nails, paint carefully and there you go . . . drama! If you are daring enough as well as artistic, paint a lovely picture on a wall and then frame it with wood. Find some old shutters and frame your art right there on your wall.

Tired of curtains? Take them down and put up blinds. Or, buy some inexpensive curtains and make them from your very own design.

Solids, floral, geometric but boring? Snip them wherever you desire and insert a piece of complementing fabric, making them longer to elongate the area. You may have to raise the height of the existing rods or the curtains could pool slightly if you prefer that look. Change your existing hardware if it looks dated or you are just tired of it. That goes for all doors and drawers as well.

Make a bold statement with a strong new colour scheme. Create a new feel with an area rug and bring calming balance to the picture with a live plant or two.

Old furniture looks new when it’s revamped, like a fresh paint job on an old car. Get rid of your dark or too light wood by first cleaning, then sanding and then applying the paint or stain. Refresh the seats by removing the old foam or wadding with new comfort and re-cover with your choice of fabric. Remember, you don’t have to be matchymatchy. Try slipcovers for a totally different look . . . oh, so elegant.

Things don’t have to be new, just new to a space, making the area seem new. Not that new isn’t lovely, it certainly is, but in order to stretch a buck, old things can make a huge difference when given a facelift, repurposed or used in a different area.

Area rugs can create a totally different feel to a room. Make sure that the rug is the correct size, colour and design for the area or it will

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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DÉCOR

Repurpose your existing pieces of furniture. Change their use and allow them to become something else. If your pet peeve is dusting, try decluttering. Sparse can be very appealing, especially as we age. look very amateur. Floors represent a large part of a room. Make sure your tiles are clean and that the grout is in good condition, if not, that makes a room look very sad and dated. Regrouting is doable and once you set your mind to it, it’ll be very worth your while. A reputable store can put you on the right path to revamping your tiles.

Repurpose your existing pieces of furniture. Change their use and allow them to become something else. If your pet peeve is dusting, try decluttering. Sparse can be very appealing, especially as we age. Make time to give away stuff and allow yourselves more time to enjoy things, lessening the mundane task of dusting. Add living greenery. House plants are very calming and bring the outside in. Do remember to water them and make sure no dead leaves are left hanging. No plants are better than dead plants.

If your creative genius has gone on a long vacation, look through some magazines and find a picture of a room decorated to your taste. Take the picture shopping with you and replicate the room locally, using your own budget to create a similar look. It doesn’t have to be exactly the same but it is possible to create a very similar look. Enjoy the task of redoing a room and grab a friend for the journey, adding to the fun and confirmation of your choices.

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INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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FEATURE

SMART

DESIGN A LASTING LEGACY

Story by Tyson Weekes | Photography by Dan Christaldi and Jabari Clarke

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INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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FEATURE

W

hen mulling over iconic Barbadian architecture, visions of plantation houses, lighthouses, the Parliament Building, or even the Empire Theatre in its heyday may first come to mind; but it is the largely underrated chattel house that best typifies

Barbadian culture.

The word chattel is literally defined as an article of moveable personal property, and this is exactly what the original chattel unit was – a moveable home. The modest wooden buildings were temporarily set on coral stone blocks and boulders to facilitate easy movement from one plot to another, because Barbados’ homeowners in that period were generally part of a plantation tenantry system rather than landowners.

Despite being romanticized by a few, the social perception of the chattel house has progressively fallen among local homeowners over the past two decades, as the paradigm in building styles and tastes diversified to incorporate designs from other cultures. Simply put, as Barbadian society grew so did its needs and desires.

In addition to diversifying tastes, the second major cause for the shift in Bajan home design is maintenance. At the height of the chattel house’s popularity, the quality of wood then was significantly higher in comparison to what is produced now. Over time, the decrease in grade meant that wood’s greatest nemeses – termites and moisture – became more prevalent, thereby depleting the average life of the chattel house.

In their original design, chattel houses were one-room dwellings with a high pitched gable roof (that would later be its definitive signature), a ventilation window (simply called an “air window” back then), shuttered jalousie windows and French doors.

Prominent architectural writer and former editor of Architecture Digest, Richard Olsen, wrote: “The chattel’s modular Caribbean Georgian design, always symmetrical and with windows strategically orientated East-West to catch prevailing winds and partial-height or decoratively vented interior walls for its optimal circulation, is refreshingly concerned with little more than pure, organic function and climatic suitability.”

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SMART HOMES OCTOBER 2013

The chattel’s modular Caribbean Georgian design, always symmetrical and with windows strategically orientated East-West to catch prevailing winds and partial-height or decoratively vented interior walls for its optimal circulation, is refreshingly concerned with little more than pure, organic function and climatic suitability.

Everything about this architectural style was designed for practicality rather than for aesthetics and due to the high level of craftsmanship during that era, many chattel house elements have proven to be timeless. It is this timelessness that has inspired a few local architects to fuse the classic elements of chattel design with contemporary designs.

Erskine Rose, director of SRM Architects Ltd, attributed the application of chattel house elements in several SRM designs to his lifelong appreciation for the house’s contribution to Barbadian society.

Having a first-hand account of living and maintaining chattel structures enabled Rose to dissect the pros and the cons of their design and select the elements best suited for climate and aesthetic adaptation.

“What we [at SRM] try to do in a lot of our work is borrow some of the ideas that are there and symbolically place them into buildings that we design, so as to salvage history and protect the legacy of something that is fast disappearing,” Rose said.

“Chattel homes are generally well designed for hurricanes, not just because of the pitch of the roof but also because there is hardly any overhang [eaves] to form pockets [for the wind]. Contrary to popular belief, hurricanes remove roofs through suction, so the higher the roof and

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

25

FEATURE

SRM Architects Ltd applies chattel house elements in several of their designs “so as to salvage history and protect the legacy of something that is fast disappearing”, says director Erskine Rose.

The ICBL building, a product of the SRM team, provides a perfect example of the firm’s determination to preserve the legacy of chattel house design.

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SMART HOMES OCTOBER 2013

the smaller the overhang, the less likely it is for roofs to be removed by hurricane winds”.

Despite its modest appearance at first glance, the chattel house has continually evolved, over the years, to show us ways to construct energy-efficient abodes suitable for our tropical climate.

Closer inspection will reveal that chattel additions were always placed one behind the other, wider than the original unit, making it possible for the breeze to flow through the added facade’s windows and into the rooms set behind the original unit – a smart and very essential design feature.

The ingenuity of their design means that even on the most humid days, chattel houses, sans air conditioning, remain comfortable throughout the year. In contrast, many of the island’s more recently designed and constructed homes possess design flaws that inhibit the escape of warm air, thereby requiring inefficient, artificial cooling methods. (For more on cooling tips, see page 16) While it may be impractical to build the chattel house in its indigenous form, its cultural, architectural and climatic heritage makes it a relic that exemplifies the most ideal form of design to borrow from when designing an efficient home in Barbados.

barteachcredit@caribsurf.com INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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DÉCOR

For Her

TREAT YOUR

HOME AND THEIRS

Story by Lyle Jones Photos compliments Walkers World

For Him

For Him

Magazine rack Accent lamp Beverage dispenser Beer mug set Beverage tub Keys holder Knife set Barbecue apron Carving set Themed clock

For Him

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SMART HOMES OCTOBER 2013

T

he holidays are coming and by now many have started to think about compiling their gift lists. Of course, the old hands at the game might have started already, secretly quizzing those on their gift lists for clues about things they’d be happy to receive or plan to get themselves when finances become available.

While we don’t presume to know the desires of those on your list, what we do know is you can’t miss with a gift for the home. There are so many options as well: decorative, functional, eclectic, practical, the list is endless.

To get you started, Smart Homes has compiled a list of great gift ideas that’ll work for both the house proud and those who need a little nudge along the way. Whether the recipient is male or female, single or couple, you’re sure to find something to give their living space a pleasurable lift.

Of course, we’d like to think that you love your home so why not present it with an early Christmas gift? A special accent that’ll be the talking point for all who visit over the holidays.

For Him

For Her

Cookware Bedding Serving dishes Personalized chopping board Treasure chest Jewellery dish Candle holders Sculpture Digital picture frame Figurine Knee pillow Coffee mug Lava lamp

For Her

For Them

For Them

Vase Decorative mirror Wall hanging Clock Coffee maker Art (sculpture or painting) Cutlery set

For Them

For Them

For Your Home

For Your Home

For Your Home

Curtains Throw cushions Rug Throw for the furniture Bedspread Lamps Artwork Hamper Bathroom accessories (dispensers, soap dishes, towels, and so on)

For Your Home

For Your Home INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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DÉCOR

DECLUTTER . . .

ENJOY LIFE MORE

•

REDUCE PAPER CLUTTER While ours is not a paperless society, many companies offer online billing and payment options. Some Government entities also offer online payment options. Transacting business online can help you to reduce the level of paper clutter you accumulate at home. Opting for the online versions of our newspapers will also result in a reduction of the clutter at home. Setting up a virtual library of your favourite books just takes it to the max.

•

AUDIT YOUR APPLIANCES Dump the old or broken appliances. The ten-year-old television that you’ve put off having repaired is not worth the effort.

New models are quite affordable, sleek, energy efficient and more utilitarian if you consider the multi-purpose smart televisions.

•

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET Sort your clothes into three piles: those you’ll keep, others worthy of passing on and ones to dump. Be strong, while some outfits might have sentimental value, the clutter they cause and the health hazards posed as a refuge for mould, mites and mosquitoes might not be worth it.

Story by Lyle Jones

Stylish furniture can be functional. You can use an ottoman with storage capacity and wicker baskets to reduce the clutter around your home.

Y

ou seldom realize how much stuff you’ve accumulated until you’re cleaning house or have to make space for something or someone. In fact, I was amazed when moving from a medium-sized apartment to a larger house to see how my concerns about having too much space in my new home quickly flew out of the window.

Maybe I was a bit of a pack rat, but that’s another story. Suffice it to say I am cured. The signs of clutter are usually there, especially when you find yourself having to fight for space, but some just choose to ignore it until they’re forced to deal with it.

They revel, however, in the sense of space that returns when the clutter is gone. While the look and feel of the room is it’s own reward, decluttering offers other positives as well.

First, there are health benefits. Psychologically, there’s stress relief.

According to physician and author Roberta Lee in her book The Superstress Solution: “a disorganized, untidy, clutter-filled home is not only a symptom of stress but also a source of stress. Clean up the litter and you’ll dial up the calm”.

In the case of asthmatics, and those suffering with allergies, the clearer the home of dust magnets such as newspapers, old clothes, old toys and other allergen facilitators, the better.

So if you’re due for a spruce up, there’s no better time than now to redefine your living space in a clutter-free way.

A nice thought, you might say, but how do I do it? Here are a few suggestions to help you along.

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•

RATIONALIZE YOUR FURNISHINGS Do you really need them all? Some of us buy pieces on a whim, attracted by price, style and pretty much everything but utility. If you can’t justify having it, something probably needs to go.

While these suggestions are not exhaustive, they’re enough to get you started on creating a healthier environment in your home. In the words of blogger Mandi (home.yourway. net): “By decluttering your home and giving away, selling or trashing any items that aren’t making your life richer, you are able to simplify and enjoy life more.”

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DÉCOR

Life & Design: 1 - 2 - 3 MAKEOVERS BEDROOM – WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Stories by Sheree-Ann McDonald

STEP 1

O

ne room that should be a source of rest and rejuvenation is your bedroom. Since I find the beach to be one of the most relaxing places, I decided to use this as my inspiration. This means the colours, the furniture, the walls and the window treatments will all, in some way, remind me of my favourite place. There is almost zero complication at the beach, so my room will be casual for the most part with some touches of elegance.

My colour choices are mainly neutral or very “washed out” – soft beige, a quiet blue, coral and off-white, for example. To create a special spark, I can use the highlights in a gorgeous sunset – orange, yellow, gold or even a little pink for my accessories such as lamps and picture frames.

The beach is also a place of many textures: the gritty feeling of sand and shells, the air against your face and the water washing through your hands. I will incorporate these textures into the room as well.

There is no electronic equipment on the beach. So I could cover this up with a cleverly designed cabinet or wheel it out of the room.

A good place to begin is simply to collect items that remind you of the effect you want to have such as paint samples, pictures, sand, shells, and so on.

STEP 2 You can always paint your walls according to the swatches you have chosen.

But how do you go about incorporating things like sand and stones and the feeling of cool air from dashing waves into your room?

Well, you should consider that the kind of materials used in the furniture would be void of opulent finishes which would take away the natural feeling you get at the beach. I may choose simple white for the colour of the furniture or opt for some bamboo or wicker furniture that sits well with the neutral colour scheme.

My bed linen choices would be simple with little if any patterns, exemplifying the easy, uncomplicated life at the beach.

To enhance my illusion, the window treatments would be a translucent tone of white which lets in plenty of light, reminds me of rolling waves and gives a cool feeling of the air outside. Since this is a bedroom, you can use panels on either side which can be drawn for greater privacy.

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Bring the colours and feel of your favourite beachside getaway with a themed approach to your bedroom decor.

STEP 3 The accessories in any space add the icing to the cake and complete your room. Since we are “at the beach” – paintings, photographs, lamps, table ornaments, door finishes, and so on, can be used to cement the feel. My colours up until now have been mainly neutral so I would use orange, pink and gold (reminders of the wonderful sunsets) to add dashes of colour to the room.

1 - 2 - 3 MAKEOVERS DO-OVER BATHROOM WITH A GOOD PAINT JOB

O

ne of the fastest and least expensive ways to change a room is with paint colour. The great thing is, if you don’t like it, you can always paint it over.

CHOOSE YOUR COLOUR Ask your paint dealer for advice on the kind of paint most suitable for this environment. In a bathroom – easy to clean goes a long way. If your space is small, stick with lighter colours so that the room does not feel smaller.

MATCH YOUR MAIN ITEMS Most paint stores also offer recommendations on colour schemes, so once you have chosen your wall colour they can suggest colours that will go well with it. This makes it easier to choose colours for your main items in the room, for example, your mats and shower curtains.

ACCESSORIZE Go over the top – everyone is impressed with a luxurious feel in a bathroom.

The accessories in this room will give that feeling. Some of these items are inexpensive but very effective.

HERE ARE SOME POINTS TO CONSIDER: • Provide seating in your room if the space can afford it.

• Amend the light fixtures.

• Frame a favourite quote or photo.

• Change the hand soap dispenser.

• Provide a dispenser for hand lotion.

• Provide matching hand towels in a basket.

Colour coordinate to maximum effect in the bathroom using accessories to give the area a rich feel and look.

• Update your garbage can.

• Change the hardware for your taps and door knobs.

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DÉCOR

Life & Design: 1 - 2 - 3 MAKEOVERS DINING ROOM – CHANGE YOUR FOCUS Story by Sheree-Ann McDonald

In a dining room, the main focus is the actual furniture used for dining, which in most instances consists of a table and chairs. For a quick change to your decor, around this season, you can begin with this centrepiece.

CHOOSE YOUR MOOD Choose the mood you want for this table. Is this a formal opulent affair or is this a homey family time; is it the “new” Christmas look or your traditional fare? Defining your mood will help you determine how to dress this centrepiece.

Traditional colours would be red, green and gold. For a newer look: pink and silver, or blue and green with silver. Another beautiful combination is white and gold. Christmas brochures also have colour schemes that can help to spark your imagination.

Then set your table and choose your centrepieces – wisely remembering the heights and the sensibilities of the people whom you’re entertaining.

After all, it is a season for thinking of others as well.

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CHOOSE YOUR TABLE SETTINGS Once you have chosen the mood, it becomes easier to pick out the table settings – cutlery, dishes and centrepieces.

CHANGE YOUR WINDOW TREATMENTS Your windows are on the same eye level as your table so you can complete your makeover by acquiring new window treatments – simply another good excuse to go shopping.

TAKE YOUR JOURNAL AND SAMPLES WITH YOU By taking your samples and pictures with you, it helps to bring uniformity to the things you select. It is quite possible that you may be shopping at different stores for your table and windows, therefore keeping your samples together helps you to be sure that the white from the first store really does go with the white from the second store and so on. It also helps to keep you focused on what is truly important since there will always be store windows that have great appeal, especially around this season.

Et voila! Your new dining room for the season.

PIC K FOR A MO YOU OD RR OO M Stor y by

Tyso nW eeke s

DÉCOR

I

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SMART HOMES APRIL 2013

t ha s cons been pro eque ntly ven that spen yo da lot o ur beha colour a affec ffec vio f ts t resea ever y da ime thin ur. W hil ts your e moo ki y rc d a effec with hed and of our liv ng in d most of e u ts of in its e pth s ma nd s. Vi impl t a n y h r b e g e e not o m in A On wes ut hue en used boardin s on tra t aircraft ted moo tlantic in it, colou ve r g c n d t whic o de-stre the air ller beha abins, cit -inducin ovativel y craf t i h is v ss pa g n i o g lig ur. the p , a desig ssen fligh sof sych hting ge t, ne olog cand the colo d to be rs. This t rose c ic al th ur ha le c pass light en transfor osy and en chan mpagne enge viron g m com es in colo s in rs dr refle ift in ment for to ambe fortable. to purp ur is ct a le h t r s F o p warm u as a dee Simi tarr y ni th, w rther int aze, p sle sengers g l h a r t ly fo o th ep, s whil w ill hich sky. ilver e in ry e moo dining, recreates com fluence b our hom n a a bina l n o i e g d t , h yo ht is the tio and intro to help for g ns is on ur mood tones y duce o e of ood a and u d to ador the m nd you reaso size n r your of fu thou n. C ost i itself o n g r r n o .S h lo ti o i infor electing shings a ur has t midatin ts. Choo ms with g ste sing he p s we mati p a i n ps fo colo ll o o t colo ur r urs a n about will not as the s wer to c hape nd h hang beginne be d i t s e r ow t i e ff s ffi a , e n t c cts he s d ul hese CHO hape influ , so let ’s t if you e size of t OSE h ence q your find out uip your e room WIS Kee self w moo ELY more caref p in mi d. ith abou nd t u t roo hat tr yin lly think e m a g c pain to creat about ho h colour t wis e pe w these has a ely a a have psy nd r ce and c just e h m armo olours m chologic emb W he the opp al va n ake e y r osit n tha in lu yo carp eting choosing e effect o t some t your ho u feel. e, so m W o , furn n of co n e you from it lo and es in lar , choose hen the ge am your pain urs than ure and your p a til tc lo le o p of co olour. W aint, so es are av tte, rem ved ones unts wil l s ail lours emb h el moo er t ds. in a en you fi ect them able in a h nd at f room m fi abr to n somethi rst and t ore limi t om h n ed ra ic, e g n you ore t d nge e cid lik han three e, limit e on you the r or fo ur, b numbe r ecau se to o

DÉCOR

many colours can make a room look busy or cluttered. Paint is fairly inexpensive and transforms a room more quickly than anything else, so you can afford to experiment a little.

Light colours are expansive and airy, making rooms seem larger and brighter. Dark colours are sophisticated and warm, giving large rooms a more intimate appearance.

Red raises a room’s energy level and draws people together and stimulates conversation. In an entryway, it creates a strong first impression. Red has been shown to raise blood pressure, speed respiration and heart rate.

Yellow captures the joy of sunshine and communicates happiness. It is perfect for kitchens, dining rooms and bathrooms, where happy colours are energizing and uplifting. In halls, entries and small spaces, yellow can feel expansive and welcoming.

Blue lowers blood pressure and slows respiration and heart rate and is often recommended for bedrooms and bathrooms because of its calming, relaxing and serene nature. While softer shades of

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SMART HOMES OCTOBER 2013

Red raises a room’s energy level and draws people together and stimulates conversation. In an entryway, it creates a strong first impression. Red has been shown to raise blood pressure, speed respiration and heart rate. blue are known to have a calming effect when used as the main colour of a room, the opposite is true for darker shades.

Green combines the refreshing quality of blue and the cheerfulness of yellow and is suited for almost any room in the house. Whether in the kitchen, dining or living room, it encourages unwinding but has enough warmth to promote comfort and togetherness.

Purple is restful, rich, dramatic and sophisticated. It is associated with luxury as well as creativity, and as an accent or secondary colour, it gives a scheme depth.

Orange evokes excitement, enthusiasm and is an energetic colour.

While this may be good for exercise and fitness rooms, be wary of painting your bedroom walls with this colour.

Neutrals (black, grey, white and brown) are basic and can stand alone or be accented with pops of colour. While most neutral tones can be used primarily in a room, black is best used in small doses as an accent.

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

39

OUTDOORS

Inviting Outdoor Spaces: THE ALLURE OF THE KITCHEN Story by Tyson Weekes

W

hether you are entertaining a large number of guests or just spending time with the family, nothing beats cooking and dining outdoors, sipping on an ice-cold beverage and enjoying the tropical weather our island has to offer. If you are blessed with a great view or a shaded area (or both), consider these as added incentives to transform your outdoor space into the outdoor kitchen of your dreams with way more than the standard barbecue grill set-up. Indoor dining is overrated.

Cooking outside is a welcome change from the usual routine and with the increasing variety of products on today’s market, it is just as easy to prepare food in an outdoor kitchen as it is in an indoor one. Not a lot of yard space?

That is not a problem. You do not need a lot of space for an outdoor kitchen – you just need your space to be functional.

It would be ideal if your outdoor kitchen were located close to your indoor one because this would ease the transfer of water, gas and electrical utilities to the area, as well as greatly increase your efficiency when carrying utensils and food items back and forth. Even though it is not an absolute must, having a covered kitchen will increase the length of time you can use your outdoor kitchen throughout the year by making the scorching afternoon sun less of a concern.

CONSIDER YOUR SURROUNDINGS . . .

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION • Is the proposed kitchen area near to a busy road with dust and fumes from the traffic?

• Is your property so close to the sea that you have problems with sea spray?

• Will wind be an issue for your proposed outdoor kitchen area?

• Is the sewer located near to the proposed outdoor kitchen site?

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SMART HOMES OCTOBER 2013

The grill is the most essential element in the outdoor kitchen. When deciding on the kind that suits your lifestyle best, weigh the pros and cons of each option’s ability to perform its primary function – grilling.

EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES There is an outdoor version for every type of indoor kitchen appliance, but take time to think about exactly what types of prep work and cooking you can feasibly do outdoors before splurging.

As you can imagine, the grill is the most essential element in the outdoor kitchen. The size and features of grills vary, and many appliance manufacturers have developed outdoor grill units that have the capacity to act as an expanded cooking centre with counter space, cupboard storage and a warming area. When deciding what kind of grill suits your lifestyle the most, weigh the pros and cons of each option’s ability to perform its primary function – grilling.

Gas grills are ready to cook within minutes, while charcoal grills take longer to heat but can reach a higher temperature, which make them better for searing denser meats such as steaks. Even though the relatively new infrared grill is seen as the cleanest and most efficient cooker on the market, its “microwave of the outdoor kitchen” reputation comes with a higher price than its grill counterparts.

Most importantly, when you decide to invest in a grill ensure that it is constructed with heavy-duty, high-grade stainless steel.

As you can imagine, high-grade steel grills cost more, but their durability far exceeds that of cheaper grills.

exoticwoods@caribsurf.com INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

41

OUTDOORS

With the right planning and design, investing in an outdoor kitchen will increase the value of your home – not to mention provide additional living space.

Historically, the open air, free-flowing design of outdoor kitchens allows for smoke dispersion, but this depends on the layout of the outdoor space. If the proposed kitchen will be attached to your home, think carefully about whether the smoke from your grill may linger in the space or worse yet, be funnelled back into the house. To cope with this smoke, there are ventilation systems for outdoor use, but carefully planning the position of your grill will greatly decrease the need for expensive ventilation solutions.

For your designated cooking area, it would be ideal for the grill to be located in an island at the centre of the workflow of your outdoor area. This not only increases functionality and flow when preparing and serving food, but it also makes the kitchen the focal point of the outdoor space. Countertop areas should be planned on both sides of your cooking appliance and on both sides of the sink.

In North America, according to Home And Garden Television,

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some other common outdoor appliances are ice makers and mini refrigerators. Because of the sea spray that affects many homes on the island, especially those close to the coasts, if you intend to purchase these additional appliances make sure that they are rust resistant.

For longevity, it’s best for cabinets to be made of concrete or woods like purple and greenheart. Another alternative would be to emulate the boating industry and utilize composite materials for the making of your cabinetry. As for the countertop, the best options are granite, slate, concrete, stainless steel, decoran solid surface and tile.

With the right planning and design, investing in an outdoor kitchen will increase the value of your home – not to mention provide additional living space. Adding an outdoor kitchen will boost the beauty of your backyard and create a casual space to grill with family and friends. It will be hard not to have a good time.

Exterior Lighting WITH EFFICIENCY IN MIND

OUTDOORS

With the right planning and design, investing in an outdoor kitchen will increase the value of your home – not to mention provide additional living space.

Story by Lyle Jones

Wall-mounted low-energy lights provide general illumination for the kitchen or bar area, while string lights add a splash of colour to set the mood.

I

f you’re in the process of remodelling your back patio, maybe adding an outdoor kitchen to enhance the experience you’ll have while relaxing and entertaining family and friends, one of your major design considerations should be your lighting.

Lighting not only illuminates your space, providing safety and security after dark, it can also be used to create a welcoming ambience.

Of course, in these days of high energy costs, it’s comforting to note that you can virtually illuminate your entire patio or garden area without breaking the bank. Affordably priced solar-powered lowvoltage lighting systems are available for practically every application necessary. In addition, depending on the equipment chosen, installation requirements are simple enough for the savvy “do-it-yourselfer” to have fun creating his or her own environment.

Say you wanted to illuminate the path leading to your patio, solarpowered LED path lights provide a relatively inexpensive option. The hassle-free installation of these autonomous units is a bonus. They are available in sets of various sizes, some containing as many as 12 units.

There are also varieties designed for the garden as well.

For the porch steps, options include solar-powered deck step lights

or similarly powered wall-mounted deck lights. LED rope lights, or recessed lighting, offer an energy-efficient alternative but will require connection to the regular power supply.

On the patio deck you can upgrade your existing system. Swapping out the traditional switches for dimmer switches will allow you to adjust light intensity to create the mood of your choice. You must ensure, however, that your existing light bulbs are of the dimmable variety. If they are not, you will need to retrofit.

Also available for the patio are lantern-style solar-powered lights and other low-voltage varieties which produce a more mellow effect but are bright enough for most evening activities.

As a security measure you can have motion sensor lights installed.

These are also available in the solar-powered variety if you prefer a stand-alone system.

For most patios, a combination of the two types of lighting is ideal; the strong standard-voltage lighting provides more intense illumination when you need it, and the low-voltage systems serve best during those moments when you just want to enjoy the outdoors in a fully lit, relaxing setting without worrying what your next light bill will look like.

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SECURITY

PROTECTING YOU:

15 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

FOR YOUR HOME

FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY

1.

9. Always walk in well lit areas and walk assertively.

10. Walk in groups if possible.

11. Don’t fill your arms with packages, always keep one hand free whenever possible.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

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Lock up your home, even if you go out only for a short time. Many burglars come through unlocked doors and windows.

Your house should appear occupied at all times. Use timers to switch lights and radios on and off when you’re not at home. Leave the stereo or television on since an empty house “feels” empty. There is no vibration or noise inside that indicates someone’s presence.

Put the “vibes” in.

If you lose your keys, change the locks immediately.

Don’t leave notes for service people or family members on the door.

These act as invitations to burglars.

If the entrances to your home are dark, consider installing lighting with an infrared detector. Most thieves don’t want to be observed.

Trees located near windows or shrubbery that might shield a burglar from view can be major flaws in your home protection plan.

Consider your landscaping plan in light of your protection needs.

Get and close heavy drapes, especially in rooms where there is expensive equipment. Thin, sheer drapes, although attractive, allow burglars to look inside.

Install motion detectors in areas where no one should be. This way you will know something isn’t right when they go off.

SMART HOMES OCTOBER 2013

FOR YOUR VEHICLE 12. Never leave your vehicle running, not even in your driveway.

13. If you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station, business or residence and honk the horn repeatedly.

14. Avoid leaving any information in your car that includes your home address.

15. Remove valuables from your vehicle and place them in the trunk or out of sight.

Prepared and presented with the kind compliments of G4S Secure Solutions (Barbados) Ltd.

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INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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LANDSCAPE

BUILDING A PLACE FOR

PEACE Story by Nick Nunes

I

n the constraints of our fast-moving society, one of the great aids to a happy home life is a peaceful area to get away from the hectic world and find tranquillity. A traditional Japanese rock garden, popularly called a Zen garden, is a simple and easy way to create your peaceful place.

Historically, classic rock gardens were found in the Zen Buddhist temples of Kyoto, Japan. Their purpose has been as a meditative space for chi (also qi or ki) to flow freely and imitate, without mirroring, nature.

Chi is the notion of living energy that binds the universe and organizing the feng shui of your own Zen garden is a means for optimizing the flow of relaxing energies. The addition of a Zen garden to your home serves more than to create a calming space to enjoy some quite at-home comfort, it also adds a unique place of beauty to any home.

Zen gardens can come in any shape and size, the key is to find where one will fit best with the flow of your home’s energy and space. Small Zen gardens can be placed in any space of the home, in small flowerpots or miniature sandboxes. Medium to large gardens are the best bet to escape to a placid space while still at home.

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED: • • • • •

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Forms for the garden (supplies for a wooden or stone construct) Sand or gravel Weed retainer Garden features (large rocks, logs, moss, statues, water or fire features, bonsai trees or small shrubs) Rake

SMART HOMES OCTOBER 2013

The addition of a Zen garden to your home serves more than to create a calming space to enjoy some quite at-home comfort, it also adds a unique place of beauty to any home.

• Cheapside (Opposite Post Office), Bridgetown. BB11000

• TEL: 436-6788 • EMAIL: sales@caribsupply.com • website: www.caribsupply.com INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

47

LANDSCAPE

With a spacious flow in mind, the addition of a small statue, like a Buddha, or an outdoor light fixture can enhance the feel of this peaceful space. Keep in mind that every addition should have its own space and flow freely, moving away from congestion.

RECIPE FOR A ROCK GARDEN The first step in creating another world getaway in your backyard is to the sand is a big issue to consider. In the case of gravel, the size is also survey your property and decide where best your rock garden should be very important to the appeal of the garden. Once filled, the base of the situated. Zen gardens are typically meant to be viewed from an outside garden should be smoothed and levelled. perspective to facilitate taking in the aspects of nature organized within.

Now comes the time to accessorize the space. The key is to remember Picking a plot where energy flows calmly is ideal for the creation of this that the point of a Zen garden is to encourage flow. With that in mind, type of garden. do not add too many features to the space. Cluttering the garden will Once the spot is chosen, the next step is to rid the area of weeds and turn it from a peaceful space to a chaotic area. obstructions because part of the appeal of a Zen garden is its pristine Simple additions are the key. Sparingly placed large rocks (or boulders) nature. By outlining your garden of interesting shapes and colours, Small Zen gardens can be placed in any space of the and then putting down a black mossy logs, or even a modest fire home, in small flowerpots or miniature sandboxes. plastic weed retainer (available or water feature add tremendously at home and garden stores), you to the unification of nature in the ensure the chaotic side of nature Zen garden. Plants are best added doesn’t encroach upon your to the perimeter of the garden, but tranquil space. it is good to consider the addition of Next on the list is deciding what small trees like the dwarf Barbados type of boundary to create for your cherry tree, a potted orchid, or a Japanese rock garden. Though bonsai tree to suit your taste. rectangular wooden outlines are With a spacious flow in mind, popular, this is the time to explore the addition of a small statue, like a the flow of creativity and make this Buddha, or an outdoor light fixture garden personal to you. Natural flat can enhance the feel of this peaceful stones can be piled moderately to space. Keep in mind that every create a small rock wall to enclose addition should have its own space the garden in a non-traditional and flow freely, moving away from shape of your choice. The use of a congestion. rock wall can give an even earthier When the physical additions are in look to your Zen garden. place, it is time to rake the sand or The boundary creation should be modest; part of the intrigue of Zen gravel into curving and appealing patterns of personal significance. The gardens is their simplicity. A one-foot high wall is more than enough for raking of the sand is usually meant to symbolize the flow of water and the landscape to flow easily towards the garden. The parameter need not energy through the garden. This is one of the easily changed parts of the be high because the interior of the garden will be filled with just two to garden that can frequently be modified depending on mood. four inches of sand or gravel. The barrier need only be attractively higher A vantage point should be selected to place a demure seating area for than the inside base. Of course, this may all depend on the security of enjoying the garden. With a typical Zen garden, a discreet bench is set the garden and possible intrusion of pets and small children. in a quiet place to view the garden in humility and enjoy the serenity Filling the garden is an important step in creating the atmosphere meant to flow through the Zen zone. of the Zen space. Depending on taste, sand or gravel is placed in the Creating a Japanese rock garden is a simple way to add beauty and centre to a depth of two inches or more. The colour and coarseness of elegance to your home while creating a space for nuanced relaxation.

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SMART HOMES OCTOBER 2013

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