|
|
| Home Improvement Information |
|
|
|
|
Some Villain Thoughts About a Container VillageIulia Pascanu Preview: "Shipping containers" have yet nothing to do with "housing" in Romania. Is there any chance that they will soon Belonging to Eastern European block, released in 1989 from communist oppression, Romania has already experienced 15 years of less and less stunning freedom. ----------- I read a few articles about shipping container housing. It took me about five minutes to realize this subject makes your mind frolic endlessly on an imaginary however not utopian land. Those articles belong to some very respectable gentlemen at least that was the impression they made on me, at first reading – that praise living in shipping containers. Lets go cheap A 40 foot-long shipping container could reach to $1,500-2,000. I started asking myself questions about how this subject could become a solution for homeless people in Romania thats where I live, where flats cost at least $20,000. And theyre not 40 foot-long. At the same time, Romania has a lot of peripheral categories: the poor, the old, the young, the unemployed, the pitman, the gypsy, the orphan, the student. Could they benefit from this recent discovery that living in some kind of shoe-boxes can be really cool and trendy Ill try to answer that. A few advantages from a Romanian point of view: for peripherals its cheap, for artists its unconventional the subject is quite green you can "camp" anywhere you want Romania has not few spectacular landmarks the result you get using shipping containers can be anywhere between "plastic" and "platinum", practical and fantasy, serious and ludic - you can move your "house" around. At least thats what LOT/EK people are trying to prove by their "mobile dwelling unit" project. Earthquakes, floods and sliding land are some serious problems in Romania, so being able to leave the place at a snails pace may be useful. - most Romanians live in blocks of flats that pretty much look like overcrowded shipping containers and usually inadequate to modern standards: water supply, heating, insulation, comfort etc. Could shipping container houses actually mean a reasonable escape Maybe, if they are properly transformed and adapted to living conditions. - A sad fact is that few Romanians actually have the possibility to pay $2,000 cash for a house-to-be. If you are not a Romanian 2007 could be, in the optimist version, the year that Romania will join EU. Compared to Western standards, Romanian land properties are very cheap. Land-purchase conditions are the same for both Romanians and foreigners. A few observations to Mr Doug Caseys reportage about his Romanian adventure http://www.escapeartist.com/efam17/Romania.html. Given the reasons Mr. Casey liked Romania, I quickly made some "counts". The average Romanian needs to work at a medium economy salary rate of $11 per day 2272 days to buy an apartment; or, 103 months I excluded weekend days of course, they dont pay; or 9 years. This without considering any interest. And supposing that this particular individual doesnt eat, dress or pay rent. Just work his butt off. In real terms, he needs more than nine years, probably 25. Thats pretty much for an average ephemeride that lives an average 75 years life. Mr. Caseys mentioning of the brief trial and execution of the Ceausescu couple has suddenly brought to my senses a smell of a Dogville atmosphere that I have never before associated with Romania. Of course, Im talking about the movie dog-ville, not the real one. That takes me back to the initial idea that shipping container housing is a subject that gives you some chalk drawn-squares or parallelepipeds in our case that make you want to play like kids do with their Lego pieces. But here are a few more questions: Where do you find those imaginative grown-ups that are able to play with shipping containers in a coherent / artful manner What would their work be worth in the end How much do utilities cost water, energy, gas supply etc. Would the authorities be open to hear this as an alternative solution to traditional housing
| | | | RELATED ARTICLES Chinese Plants Chinese people value trees and flowers as much as westerners do. Flax Seed Will Add A Little Extra Flavor To Your Recipes Flax seed will add a pleasant nutty taste to any recipe. The attractive, round reddish-brown seeds of flax add flavor, extra texture and good nutrition to your breads, cakes, muffins, and other baked goods. That’s why flax has been used for many years in multi-grain cereals and snack foods. Flax seed also will give you many vitamins that are otherwise hard to get.When cooking, be aware that flax seed can be used instead of the oil and shortening called for in a recipe.When substituting flax seed in a recipe, use a three to one ratio.For example, if a recipe asks for one-third of a tablespoon of oil, use one tablespoon of flax seed.Flax seed is also very easy to store.Unlike seeds from other plants, flax seed can be stored for up to a year. Rodent Proofing Your Home Its that time of year where rats and mice are apt to enter our homes. Lets talk a bit about their abilities and senses first. A Beautiful Rose Is Natures Gift Roses are one of natures most beautiful and splendid gifts. Roses come in a variety of colors and scents, from deep, deep red to the brightest yellow. The many pedals on roses offer a texture and fullness to roses that far outshine any other flowers. Black roses, red roses and white roses have all been used in historical writings. Even Sherlock Holmes paused from his busy work while solving the case of "The Naval Treaty" and said, "All other things …are really necessary for our existence…But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its color are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers. Re-Define What "Clean" Means for You and Your Home Theres an old saying - A person doesnt buy a drill because they want a drill. They buy the drill because they want a hole. The same is true for vacuum cleaners. A person only buys a vacuum cleaner because they want their home to be clean. They care about getting rid of dirt and airborne irritants - even if theyre too small to be seen. The measure of a vacuum cleaner is the quality of "clean" it delivers. Decorating With Art A Little Savvy with Framed Art Prints and Photographs Finishing Touches Make the Difference Between Drab and Fab ARA - Three thousand parts.According to the National Association of Home Builders, thats what the typical home contains.And when youre building a home, youre faced with hundreds of decisions regarding those 3,000 parts.One or two car garageCarpet or hardwood floorsWhite or oak cabinetsPaint or wallpaperChrome or polished brass fixturesAnd the list goes on and on. When And How To Prune Roses The following article was written by David G. Hallstrom for and originally published by National Realtors Directory.com. 5-Minute Fabric Decorating Tips for Unlit Fireplace Candelabra Who doesn’t appreciate flickering flames in a fireplace For those who don’t have the inclination or time for burning firewood in their fireplace, fireplace candelabra are the obvious answer. They provide that special glow without the hassle or, in warm weather, the heat. But how do you keep those fireplace candelabra worthy of the visual focal point of your home even for those times when you haven’t lit the candles Tuscan Style Decorating - Three Essentials If Under the Tuscan Sun left you breathlessly and hopelessly in love with tuscan style decorating you’re certainly not alone.The rolling hills and the call of the earth itself seem to have imparted their presence into the psyche of those who either read the book or saw the movie. Decorating Toolbox 101 Where is that hammer How To Make Money With Garage Sales Drive through almost any neighborhood in any city or town on a weekend, and youre sure to see garage sales scattered throughout. An Infinity Mortgage Here in Spain the concept of a mortgage period of 20 or 25 years is something new. The general feeling by the banks is that want their money back more quickly than banks in countries in which they are accustomed to longer periods. The borrowers are also accustomed to the idea that the guiding principle is to pay off the mortgage as quickly as possible. Use Shelves And Storage Units To Conquer All That Stuff! NC—Stuff! Stuff! Stuff everywhere! The clutter starts to overwhelm. However, life can by simplified and clutter tamed with a few organizational hints and a good shelving or storage system. Unfinished Furniture… Finish It Yourself! Unfinished furniture has started to become extremely popular in the last few years. As customers have discovered the benefit of buying unfinished wood furniture, the industry has responded with an even larger selection.There are many benefits to buying unfinished furniture.One is that you are able to see what you are buying.Unlike finished furniture, you will be able to immediately see if your furniture has defects like discoloration, knots, or clear weak points. Broyhill Furniture Will Solve Your Furniture Needs Broyhill furniture has been known for years to be the maker of stylish, inexpensive furniture that is well known for high quality and dependability.For many years, consumers have consistently rated Broyhill furniture as the best brand in America. Broyhill furniture carries on the custom of being the most recognized furniture brand among all consumers. To this present day, its hardworking and knowledgeable workers build Broyhill products with the same attention to skillful workmanship that the original workers did long ago. Getting Your Local Channel I truly believe for most of us, getting the local programming is as important as getting those ‘big’ TV network for our home entertainment system. When it comes to television networks, local programming is an important issue to be considered. Of course you want those national channels for your primetime TV shows, but local programming is what keeps you stay connected with community in your area. Peace of Mind for Home Inspections As sure as the spring flows at The Fountain of Youth, home inspecting provides a stream of knowledge to wash away the fears of home buyers. But fear may be replaced by frustration if the wrong inspector is chosen! Some pointers on selecting your next home inspector will go a long way toward making the process a happy one. The Right Bathroom Light Fixture Will Brighten Up Your Bathroom A bathroom light fixture may be just what the doctor ordered to brighten up a dark and gloomy bathroom.House lighting is important in every room in your home, but especially in the bathroom.House lighting using too few lights in any room, especially your bathroom not only makes the bathroom look gloomy, but also may be a potential health hazard.On the other hand, too many lights may make your bathroom seem harsh.Fortunately, a bathroom light fixture will provide your bathroom with the perfect amount of light. Making Your Home Blossom is Easy Having trouble getting a room in your home to have that certain charm you’re looking for Searching for that perfect painting, sculpture, or table lamp can often be time-consuming, pricey, and/or lead to fights with your spouse. But, one simple and often overlooked way to add harmony to any room is with fresh cut flowers. |
| home | site map |
| © 2005 |