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Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2012 12:30 PM
Handi-Treads ™non slip stair
strips are an indoor/outdoor aluminum non slip surface designed to ensure safety and protection against stairway accidents and injuries. They can be used on
any material including wood, concrete, masonry or aluminum stairs, ramps, decks and
marine surfaces. Applications range from both interior and exterior steps and stairways to wood porches and ramps. They are inexpensive,
easy to install, and are a good solution for areas where water, ice, snow and
sand can make walking slippery and dangerous. The anti slip strip not only improves traction
but also provides a visual and tactile cue to be careful and slow down.
Handi-Treads™ cost approximately
$10 - $20 each, depending on size. Standard sizes
are as follows, although custom sizes are available: 1.
1.875” X 30” strips 2.
3.75” x 30” stair
treads 3.
3.75” x 48” stair
treads 4.
2.75” x 12” stair
nosings
Ten
color choices include: silver, black, brown, red, bronze, yellow, green, blue,
purple and gold. Colors are created through anodizing.
These non skid strips are
100% aluminum, manufactured from an OSHA approved material and have been used
on ADA compliant ramp surfaces for many years. The aluminum never rusts and never requires
additional maintenance. Handi-Treads™ come
with a lifetime warranty for tread performance for homeowners.
 Susan Luxenberg President HomeSmart LLC |
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Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 6:04 PM
With so many
people downsizing as they age and their lifestyles change, I’m interested in finding new products designed for smaller spaces, particularly kitchens. The last time I built a really small kitchen was
for a studio apartment and the configuration wound up being nothing more than a few
cabinets lined up against a short wall
with a stove on one end and refrigerator on the other - definitely pretty standard and boring. The updated version of a studio kitchen or kitchenette, the compact kitchen, has opened the door to more interesting small space design. The compact kitchen is a space saving
combination appliance/cooking center that is specifically designed for the home,
but for a far more casual lifestyle. Take a look at some of the new compact kitchens
being offered on the market today.
Kitchoo, a French company, has
designed compact kitchens that provide all the functionality expected from a
kitchen in the least space possible. Most models incorporate an integrated
fridge-freezer, an induction hob with 2 rings, and a telescopic mixer tap,
while optional extras include integrated dishwasher, microwave oven, washing
machine, recycling bin and cutlery rack, depending on the model. Kitchoo compact kitchens are sophisticated,
well-equipped and extremely practical. The five designs, including the
award-winning K1 kitchen, can be hidden away behind closed doors when not in use and
look like any other cupboard or dresser that you might find at home. Right now Kitchoo is only sold in the UK,
Switzerland and throughout Europe with future plans to distribute in the United
States. Current pricing is about 5390
euros ($ 6,978) for the K1 kitchen to
about 6800 euros ($8,805) for the larger K2 kitchen version. Keep in mind installation is extra. Kitchoo K1 Compact Kitchen
Kitchoo K2 Compact Kitchen
If you’re looking for something
that makes a strong style statement, how about the CircleKitchen ? Designed by Compact Concepts, this kitchen furniture manages to handle space
problems in a highly functional and stylish manner, although the unit only
measures about 6 sq ft. It
features all the characteristics of a usual kitchen. Integrated with the
ability to rotate as much as 180 degrees, the Circle Kitchen provides everything from a regular sink, to dishes, a microwave and
even a dishwasher. Pricing is between $6,500 and $15,000 plus installation
costs.
Styles range from the sleek and modern basic circle
To a more subdued look with additional cabinetry
There are also more
traditional (and less costly) compact kitchens being offered. Acme Kitchens specializes in a full line
of custom made all-in-one built ins designed around your specifications.
Here is a 60”
electric compact kitchen with built-in oven. This model provides additional
base storage space and allows for use of a separate upright refrigerator. It includes a 20 gauge stainless steel
counter top, sink bowl, single lever faucet, sink strainer, four (4) electric
burner elements and a 24" wide electric oven with black glass door and
convection bake feature. Many options are possible; you may substitute a gas
burner cooktop, include a dishwasher and alter the appearance by choosing a
custom color, counter top and door finish.
And another Acme kitchenette design
Compact Kitchens offers units ranging in 4 sizes:
30”, 39”, 48”, and 60” which are priced from $899 to $1,499 plus shipping and installation. Their 60" wide (c-60) model features the
sink on the right, two 110 volt electric sealed burners, and two generous
storage com-apartments. Refrigerator freezer is off center in middle. Dimensions are 59.5" Wide X 38" Tall X 24" Deep.
With the current trend towards downsizing, innovative space-saving designs for the
home are more important than ever. And as added
bonus, installation of these kitchen units is much easier and less costly than installing the
components of a more traditional kitchen. Are these units going to be suitable for everyone? Certainly not, but when looking to conserve space while at the same time enhancing design, the new compact kitchens are worth a second look.
 Susan Luxenberg President HomeSmart LLC
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Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 5:15 PM
According to the Home Safety Council, falls are the leading cause of injury among seniors, and safety experts all agree that badly lit hallways and staircases are potential accident areas within the home. PathLights™, an inexpensive, automatic lighting system, is designed to help people avoid falls during low-light conditions in the home. The PathLights™ system includes three battery-operated individual units -- two "A" units and one "B" unit -- that are calibrated to work together. When the “A” unit sense motion, the “B” light turns on, lighting the path before a person gets there.  Installation is a very simple DIY project that requires just a ruler, and the entire system takes less than five minutes to install. You can install the 3 motion sensor stair lights, 8-10" off the floor, up to 20 feet apart on your stairs or in your hallway, using screws or mounting tape which are both included. When you get within 6 feet of the first unit, the light comes on which then triggers the next unit to light as well. The PathLights™ Wireless LED Stair Lights stay on for about a minute, so you can safely make your way down dark staircases or halls. And since these motion sensor stair lights are battery operated, you can add them anywhere you need extra lights. Each wireless LED stair light requires 3 AA batteries (not included) that should last for approximately 16 months. The cost of the complete system ranges from $35-$40. Susan Luxenberg President HomeSmart LLC . |
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