We made a quick stop at this years Pasadena Showcase House Of Design to give you a little taste of what you expect for this years home. As you will see, designers came out with some of their best ideas to really transform and beautify this home. Also make sure you stop and enjoy the Dining Pavilion which is going to be catered by Wolfgang Puck.
If you have yet to get your tickets to the Pasadena Showcase House, be sure to do so by clicking the link below.
Wood decks are always a nice addition to the backyard patio, but usually this requires a lot of work and can turn into a big construction job. But to make things a little easier I came across these hardwood deck tiles that are specifically made for outdoor use. Instead of breaking out the current surface in your backyard, these tiles can actually be installed on top which saves you from tons of labor and cost.
The tiles come in two pieces which are the frame tray and the actual hardwood tile itself that is pictured here, and installation requires no screws, nails or toxic adhesives. To install... Simply sweep the surface clean and begin locking each tile in place. The polypropylene frame has an injected UV stabilizer that will ensure a long life span. But other than this product being easy to install, its also beautiful.
Just look at the difference the hardwood tiles would make once you install them over the old concrete deck. It adds a beautiful contrast to the area, and especially with this example being on a roof top it is the best choice for you to consider since it will not require the current hard surface to be demolished.
The debate between using natural and artificial grass is ongoing, but I will be the first to admit that I have grown partial to going artificial. Why? Simply put, the benefits with artificial turf are far greater with the natural stuff.
Look at these two photos and then ask yourself, which one is artificial?
The answer is, the one on the left is not real grass. So other than the turf looking just as natural as, well the natural grass, what other benefits can we name? We asked the folks over at Jack's Turf a couple of questions on why homeowners should tear out their sod and go with their artificial turf.
The first benefit mentioned is water conservation. For those of you in California, then you know that saving the water supply is crucial right now. The average square footage of grass per house is around 750 square feet, and by replacing that space with artificial turf you can save about 56,000 gallons of water per year. Now think about how much money you will save every year by not using that water.
Still not quite convinced? Then think about all the time spent on maintenance. Who really likes getting up on Saturday morning to do chores? Not me, thats for sure. By going with artificial turf you cut out all of the work of mowing, re-seeding, and fertilizing your lawn. Instead you can sleep in and enjoy your weekend again.
If your in the Southern California area, contact Jack's Turf for a free estimate on replacing your yard with artificial turf.
The 2010 Pasadena Showcase House For The Arts is right around the corner again this year, and this years home will be nothing less than breathtaking. This year the Cravens Estate was chosen to be renovated and returned to its original beautiful state.
Designed by renowned San Francisco architect, Lewis P. Hobart the Craven Estate was inspired by the baroque Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte and completed in 1930. The Estate is a refined three story, fifty-room residence with a wealth of architectural features.It originally encompassed 16 acres beginning at Orange Grove Blvd and extending to South Grand Ave. The estimated square footage of the home was 19,970 square feet. The total building cost of over $310,000 made this home one of the most expensive built in Pasadena at that time. The first floor had seven living rooms, a dining room, a kitchen and two pantries.The second floor included eleven bedrooms and six bathrooms.There were two bedrooms on the third floor.There was also a 1,082 square foot completed basement. Heat was provided by a gas furnace and five fireplaces.
