Investing in green architecture means that you are making an effort to take care of the environment. However, knowing where to start can be a little bit confusing. What are some of the basics about which you must know?

Dealing with Garbage

Anytime you’re crafting some sort of building, be it residential or commercial, you are going to deal with some debris. To show that you are truly committed to the green movement, make a solid effort to clean up this garbage. Make sure that any materials are going into the proper recycle bins if applicable. Of course, you want to ensure that as few pollutants as possible are released in the environment around you.

Avoiding Toxic Substances

While it might seem rather obvious that you should not use toxic substances in your daily life or work life, you might not realize how toxic all of the pollutants you’re putting into the environment really are. Therefore, you want to make sure you aren’t using lead paint or anything of that nature. As you’re going to be painting, hammering and sawing away, you also must  make sure that you are choosing organic substances with which to build. Doing so will allow you to be friendly to both your body and the environment.

Watching Energy Use

Now, this topic has two components to it. First, in your actual construction of the building, you need to make sure you aren’t overusing energy. For example, let’s say that you have power on throughout the day. When you’re not using it, make sure that it’s turned off! On top of that, you should also be choosing materials that are used to help create energy. Let’s say that you’re putting together the windows of a building. You absolutely need to use Energy Star certified windows. Of course, considering the importance of solar panels is something else you must do.

Protecting Nature

Have you decided to put up a building in the middle of a forest? Well then,you aren’t following the basic practices of green architecture at all. Instead, you’re actually working to destroy nature. Make sure that you aren’t disrupting any natural habitats when you’re putting up these buildings. You want to be certain that both animal and plant life are going to continue as normal. If you’re a company that stands for green practices and someone wants you to craft such a building, you need to be adamant in saying “no” to them. Remember, you don’t want to violate your own ethical code.

So many concepts come into play when we talk about green architecture. When you love the environment, you do not want to engage in any practices that could potentially hurt it. Therefore, you need to be committed to implementing these basics into your day-to-day life at your place of work.

Brenda Hernandez writes about all things related to design. Her recent work is about cheap online web design degrees.

How To Create SVG Files Part I

First you will need a high quality image that you can work with. Either by tracing it, or by converting it into shapes and paths. To do that, you can use Illustrator or Inkscape. In this example we will use Illustrator, as it’s one of my favorite pieces of software ever developed by adobe.

To get your image, a royalty free one I mean, go to: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/ . That’s where I’ve got my snowboarder from. I then import it into Illustrator, by dragging and dropping the image in.

Next step is to click on the image, and select Image Trace. If you want the image to be created from paths, and fills. But the result I’m after is a bit different, so we can manage without tracing the image. We want to give this image the impression it was made with a paintbrush.

So just hit the Embed button up top, under the Main Menu, and then create a new layer in the layer panel. Inside this new layer, create a new path, but with a large enough width and with a fluorescent color, so you can see the contrast between the path, and the initial image. When the entire image of the snowboarder is covered, set the opacity of this stroke to 0%.

When you’re satisfied with the result, just go to Save As, and select the SVG file format. Be careful to select Embed in the Image Location setting. That will embed the image, and you won’t have issues later on, if you accidentally delete the original image you are using as the base of the SVG.

Leave the rest of the options as they are, and just give the file a new name.

In order to import this new file into VideoScribe, just follow the short tutorial below. You will also understand how to use a paintbrush to render this image into what you want.

How To Create SVG Files Part II

This software is getting more popular by the day, because hand drawn image are a great tool to send you message out. With an attention retention rate of over 90% for this type of videos, it’s pretty easy to spread your message, sell your services and talk to your audience so they understand and take action. If you think this software is worth your time, go ahead and order it here: http://www.archtopia.com/go/Sparkol/

Enjoy, and leave a comment in the section below if you have any questions.

Me though? I’m house proud sure, but I don’t really have any interest in frilly things like throws or champagne glasses. No, what I like to show off when people come around is my widescreen TV, my computer, my desk and the range of useless gadgets and features I’ve installed into the home. It’s the little gadgets that I really get a kick from and I find that my male friends tend to be more impressed by these than the lack of dust on the kitchen counters.

If you’re like me then, and if you enjoy having an automated ‘home of tomorrow’ just so you can show off to your friends, then read on for a list of some of my favourite pointless-but-cool features. One or two of them might even be useful.

Clap-On Lights

The home of tomorrow whenever it is depicted in on TV is always one that doesn’t require any physical buttons. Voice commands are a little way off yet (the Kinect is the best it gets at this point), but clapping to turn on your lights is old news. Old news, but still cool and something you’ll grin smugly about when you do it.

Motorized Adjustable Beds

Sitting up in bed reading is annoying because you have to find a way to prop your back up using pillows. Often this ends up not being very comfortable, or you start sliding down the side of the bed gradually until you’re craning your neck up at your book again. Don’t worry though – technology can help! Really beds that you can alter the angle of using remote control are designed or those with back problems or other disabilities, but you can still get a great kick out of lifting your back up with the touch of a button and it can still make your bed much more comfortable to do things other than sleep in.

Virtual Fish

This is surely the kind of the pointless feature – virtual fish that drift around on a screen to create ambience but that you don’t actually have to feed at all. Of course these are a little soulless compared to the real deal, but they still look snazzy and they come with a lot of benefits – including immortality and low maintenance costs.

Automated Garage Door

This one is one that’s actually quite useful on the other hand – allowing you to arrive home then open your garage to drive in without even needing to get out of your car. Automated gates can be similarly useful (and an intercom so you can open them for guests and feel like a rich celebrity.

Shower Remote

This is one a friend of mine showed me eagerly recently. The idea is that you have a little button by your bed that you can press, which will then start your shower for you. His argument was that it meant the shower was already hot by the time you’d gotten up and walked to the bathroom, but we all know it’s just another pointless-but-cool gadget.

Remote Flush

This on the other hand has no conceivable benefit even that I can conjure up. Why would you want to flush the toilet from anywhere other than the bathroom? Who knows… but you can!

Spa Bath

Having a spa bath is something that impresses a lot of people and is a great way to relax and indulge yourself… once. After that it becomes another feature that you never actually use, but it will still impress guests and you can feel smug knowing you have on. Of course you will be trumped though by anyone who has an actual hot tub in their garden… Or a sauna…

Waterfall Shower

On the other hand a waterfall shower is something that you will probably use often and that can genuinely be more invigorating than a usual shower. It also looks cool.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source
•  License: Creative Commons image source
•  License: Creative Commons image source

Dennis Michael is a technophile who is likely to spend more on gadgets than on food, clothing and rent. When he’s not fighting off his roommates for the PlayStation controller or standing in queues for midnight product launches, he works at Australiana Garage Doors, providers of garage door and remote control solutions in Australia. Michael claims he works in order to fund his gadget addiction.

1.Renwick Hospital, New York City, USA
What used to be a smallpox hospital is now simply an abandoned building, replete with mansard roofs, corbelled parapets and granite veneer. Now, it’s nothing more than a spooky reminder of New York’s grisly past. It was once used to accommodate quarantined immigrants, who suffered from smallpox. The mystery behind the abandoned hospital is that (besides its overall scariness) is that, at night, it is illuminated by some anonymous patron, supposedly one that has a view to it from a penthouse in Upper East Side.

2.Kolmanskop Diamond Camp, Namibia
The local bushmen call Skeleton Coast, where the camp is situated, “The land, which God made in anger”, and the Portuguese refer to is as “The gates of hell”. One of the diamond camps’ manager’s house, called Minenvewalter, is completely taken over by sands. There is sand everywhere, in some places up to the roof. There are rumors that the house is haunted by the ghosts of the diamond miners that used to work there. In 1960, many years after the last miners left the camp, many ax-punctured skulls were found in the house.

3.Skara Brae, Scotland
More than just one building, but rather a whole village, and an ancient one, Skara Brae is situated on Skaill’s bay. The settlement is still being excavated and, during that process more and more details about the pre-Celtic era of Europe are revealed. What makes Skara Brase so strange is that despite being older than the Egyptian pyramids (it is around 5,000 years old), the buildings in the village are still in relatively good condition. There are no logical explanations why and how they have managed to remain in the condition they are.

4.Woodchester Mansion, England
Stone gargoyles stand on top of this nineteen century Gothic mansion built of honey-colored limestone. The spooky building was abandoned in 1873, in mid-construction, after its owner passed away. Situated amid a secluded valley, the mansion is now used for tours, as well as paranormal nights and Halloween parties. However, one has to have a lot of courage in order to visit and even stay in the mansion, as the building used to be a morgue during World War II. There are even rumors of uniform-wearing ghosts and 1940′s music in the hallways.

5.Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse, Denmark
Towering from one desolate dune by the name of Lønstrup Klint, the ghostly lighthouse was built back in 1900 but was abandoned in 1968 when sea, sands and wind began devouring it whole. The 75 feet tall building will most likely collapse because of coastal erosion and shifting sands during the next century. Even though, when built over a hundred years ago, the lighthouse stood at a relatively safe spot – on a duneless cliff, 655 feet away from the sea as well as almost 200 feet above sea level, yet, despite all the rescue attempts, the elements managed to slowly swallow the whole lighthouse.

Grace is an author keen on architecture and home organizing. Enjoy her tips on Acton house removals, interior design and decoration.

1.Hotel Marques de Riscal, Spain
It is a design of Frank Gehry, one of most successful architects of America. The building aimed to attract more tourists in the region. However, instead of matching the surroundings, Gehry’s building stands out as something truly unique. Not only is the exterior one-of-a-kind, but also all rooms are different than one another, guaranteeing a unique experience. The building is made out of concrete cubical elements and is covered with enormous stainless titanium panels, whose positioning basically makes no sense.

2.House Attack, Vienna, Austria
House Attack was created in 2008 by Austrian artist Erwin Wurm. This permanent art installation is a house, hanging upside down from the Museum of Modern Arts’ front facade. Its creator explains that it represents the everyday challenges and worries of families from all over the world and its purpose is to inspire architects.

3.Bolwoningen, Netherlands
The Bolwoningen housing were designed during the 1970′s as an experimental building. The architect that created these odd structures was Dries Kreij Camp. These so-called houses are shaped like golf balls and definitely managed to stand apart from anything else ever known at that time. Apart from looking strange, the Bolwoningen also have strange floor plans – the bathroom and toilet are in the very middle of the ball, while the bedroom is downstairs and the living room – upstairs. The diameter of the capsules is 5.5 meters and they have six round windows on top.

4.Wonderworks (United States)
This is one of Tennessee’s biggest attractions. Looking at its exterior, it is an upside-down building, but once inside, you realize it is more than just a wacky piece of art. It is actually a museum of the strange with exhibits you are less likely to see in ‘regular’ museums. And, bear in mind, that when you enter, you actually start from the attic, all the way up to the basement.

5.The Crooked House (Poland)
If you have ever been in front of those funny mirrors you usually find at fairs, you know what to expect looking at the crooked house. Designed by Szotynscy Zaleski and built in 2004, the structure resembles a building out of a fantasy book. As a matter of fact, the fairy tales drawing books of  Jan Marcin Szancer were Zaleski’s main inspiration.
It is a three storey house, built among a row of other, ‘normal’ houses. It basically looks as if it is melting or, while looking at it, you might think your vision is blurred due to many drinks.

6.The Atomium (Belgium)
As strange as it may sound, judging by its futuristic look, this structure was built way back in 1958, for the Expo in Brussels. Even today, it is visited by thousands of tourists and considered really impressive.
What it basically represents is an iron crystal, magnified 170 billion times. The atomium is comprised of nine steel spheres, each one with a diameter of 18 meters, connected to each other. The top sphere is an observation deck, while the other eight are exhibition halls). The whole structure  has a height of a staggering 102 meters.

Grace is a housewife and  writer keen on flowers, Italian food and house organizing. You can also enjoy her tips and suggestions for creating a better home and for NW6 house removals in London.

Adding an unusual feature to a kitchen area gives it a unique element that differentiates it from the typical, generic kitchen. This could involve anything slightly quirky, from bright orange tiles to a large chandelier. When designing a potential future kitchen creativity is essential as the area should represent personality and convey an individual style.

Small but significant differences

A random pop of colour throughout the room will bring the kitchen environment to life. This could be a bright and obvious colour such as orange or yellow or a more neutral colour like lilac or pale blue. This colour could be incorporated within the counter sides or feature in a coloured retro fridge.

Keeping a central colour throughout the room creates a theme as providing this colour is the focus, and therefore the surrounding colours are light and modest, it will attract the attention to a particular area of the room. Tiling is a good way to combine and mix colours that are dotted around the room. For example, a tiled section of the wall could incorporate orange, white and blue if those are the central colours.

Glass as a central feature

A highly futuristic and more modern approach is to select glass to make up part of the kitchen area. Adding light and therefore openness to the area using glass helps create an illusion of more space making it an ideal option for smaller kitchens.

Glass paneling is a modern day phenomenon which involves installing glass within the floor boards. This can produce a very modern and sophisticated interior. Alternatively an open kitchen in which the outside walls are made just of glass giving an open and spacious feel to the room. However, a central disadvantage is the lack of privacy that comes alongside this option.

  Here the glass, in addition to the light cream tones, creates an illusion of more space

A featured or printed ceiling

A patterned or coloured ceiling is the ideal way to express creativity. Designs can be personalised and artistic making the room unique and differentiated. Although raised wall paper designs appear to be decreasing in popularity as more people oft for a plain white ceiling they can offer a change from the generic choice.

However, it is crucial to take into account spacial elements as dark coloured ceilings can make the room appear much smaller and more closed in. Going for a lighter overall colour but with hints of a stronger or brighter colour can often add a spark of personalisation to the kitchen area.

  The feminine ceiling design adds a touch of romance to the area

 Conclusion

Whatever the drastic element may be the key concept is to focus on one central bold feature which the rest of the surroundings compliment. Try not to overload on patterns of large and attention grabbing features as this can create an environment that is far too busy, and consequently overwhelming.

Image Credits: carnavalet and A&A Design Build Remodeling, Inc.

Author: Sally Lindsey, kitchen designer at Audus Kitchens. While working on modern kitchen design projects, Sally developed a concept of personality features in the kitchen using customized paraphernalia, original arrangement and some “crazy” additions to your living space. These features are not necessary luxurious solutions anymore, many clients ask for personalized space realizing how important kitchens will be in their families’ life.

Whether you prefer a contemporary style kitchen or a more traditional one, there is a perfect kitchen design for you.Simple designs are very popular and are an easy way to change the look of your kitchen.There are many incredible designs that will make your kitchen look fabulous and are easy to achieve. Below are 4 of the best simple kitchen designs.

 Black and White

Changing the colour scheme of your kitchen can have a huge effect on the mood and atmosphere of the room, not just the design. One of the most popular contemporary choices is black and white.

The dramatic contrast between black and white brings a chic and classy feel to the kitchen. With the kitchen being one of the central rooms, re-designing it to primarily black and white can add a whole new level of style to your entire house. Although changing the colours may seem simple, it has a big impact and is very popular.

 An example of a great black and white kitchen

Modern Kitchen

 Glass

Adding more glass to your kitchen is also a very simple, yet popular design choice. There are many benefits to adding glass to your kitchen, not just that it looks great.

Glass makes the kitchen a lighter place as it can reflect light and allow it to reflect off things that are behind it. It is proven that lighter places are more attractive and people generally feel happier spending time in lighter rooms. It is most popular to add glass to cupboard doors; this may seem simple but has a big impact on the design of your kitchen.

 Country Kitchens

Another very popular kitchen design is country kitchens. There are many simple things that you can do to transform your kitchen into a country kitchen. The key element of country kitchens is wood. Even if your cabinets, table or work surfaces aren’t made out of wood you can add a variety of wooden utensils and movable storage to achieve the effect.

Country kitchens also often use baskets for storage. Baskets are cheap and a really easy and simple way to add country style to your kitchen. You may also want to add hanging pictures of rural landscapes for the final touch of the country design.

 Maximized Space

More and more in the contemporary world people appreciate kitchen designs with maximum space. Many kitchens come with built in extra storage, but if yours doesn’t, it’s easy and simple to add extra storage.

Whether you choose to add baskets, roof squares to hang your utensils on, or moveable drawers, it is very simple to add lots of storage to your kitchen. Maximum storage also ensures that you’re work tops will be kept clear; this makes your kitchen look a lot bigger.

 You could easily add baskets to the top of these cabinets for extra storage

 Conclusion

Above are 4 simple, but popular kitchen designs that are easy to achieve. Simply adding a few baskets, or changing the colour scheme can have a huge impact on the overall style of your kitchen, making it a more comfortable and attractive place to be.

Article by Tom Reynolds, Cooks paraphernalia writer, who is responsible for the company’s marketing strategy and community outreach. Cooks Paraphernalia is an UK-wide retailer of designer cookware, moomin mugs, special wine glasses and toikka birds fit into its range of products as much as traditional cutlery and cookware.

Some trends come, and other trends go, but there are trends that stay for years and years and stand the test of time. The trends for the last year included a lot of classic patterns and motif, which have been around for quite some time. They tend to reemerge, but with fresh materials and modernized color schemes that give all interior designers a wide range of classic, but also modern elements they could work with. These are last year’s ten most widely used interior designs.

1.Chevrons

They definitely aren’t a new type of design but are making a comeback. The most widely used pattern is that with wide stripes, which can even be multi-colored. The zigzag of the chevron is considered graphic and bold. It acts as a great accent which can add a beautiful appeal to the room. Just be careful not to overdo with the usage of this pattern, otherwise it could make you dizzy.

2.Tribal patterns

These are patterns that actually date back generations. Textiles of this sort can bring and ethnic and global feel to your interior design. It is available in basically anything you could imagine – from rugs and duvets, to bowls and wood vases. The options of implementing tribal patterns in your interior are countless.

3.Botanical prints

A lot of decorators suggest bringing nature into your house, but if you find it difficult to take care of plants of all sorts, the botanical prints are ideal for you. This is the best low maintenance option. There are countless different styles and colors. Botanical prints could be as cheap and at the same time as expensive as you want them to be and can be found at your local art shop, or even at the flea market.

4.Plaids

Plaids are known for creating comfortable and cozy spaces in your house. Nowadays, plaids are pretty mainstream, so to say, and their usage is not limited only to schoolgirls’ skirts and lumberjack flannel shirts. These casual patterns could bring in warmth and a sense of cheer.

5.Animal prints

Various animal prints, zebra and leopard being the most notable, never seem to go out of style. And what’s good about them is that they are used not only on rugs, but also on cushions and furniture upholstery. They can create a luxurious and exotic feel, but only if used in small doses. In some cases, the natural animal color is replaced with a different color, but the pattern remains the same.

6.Quatrefoil

This print is pretty much ageless and dates way back to medieval times. It is considered as a symbol of good luck by the Irish. It can be seen on fabric, tiles and even on wood. It’s used on ironwork, furniture and mirrors.

7.Greek key

The proportion, order and symmetry of this design are nothing less than classic. It works well with other patterns, from plaid to quatrefoil and even paisley. It is considered by many a traditional
motif, but can be easily modernized if you use bold bright colors like royal blue or hot pink.

8.Wallpaper

The wallpaper is a great example of something old that is considered new again. It can be found both in historic houses and in the newest industrial premises. It has various graphics like the Quatrefoil and the Chervon and comes in plaids and in animal prints. The wallpaper can serve as an accent on a certain focal wall or, framed with molding, as artwork, but used in small doses.

9.Lucite

Currently, this is a designer’s best friend. It is basically weightless, pretty much invisible within a chosen space. Despite looked upon as a modern element, it blends in quite well with ornate pieces. The use of Lucite in smaller spaces gives the impression of size, as it somehow expands the space available. It is a fabulous material to work with, mainly because of its clean and crisp lines.

These decorating options never go out of style and are bound to lighten up and freshen up each home. Experiment with them and mix them however you decide in order to achieve the desired effect.

Grace can give you some useful tips on how  decorate your home and make it more comfortable and good looking. Enjoy also her suggestions for Canary wharf moving house and easy organizing.

Kitchen islands are usually high on most people’s wish list, but there’s a new kid in town which is threatening to take over; the peninsula. If you aren’t sure what the difference is, or how to decide which one is right for you, here’s the low-down and what you need to know.

Understanding the difference

The two terms may sound confusing but they are both named after geographical features which make it easier to remember which is which.

Put simply, an island is a free-standing space usually located in the centre of a kitchen and can be used either as additional workspace or a place for friends to sit and chat, without getting under the chef’s feet!

A peninsula serves the same purpose but is fixed to at least one wall, with access to only three sides rather than all four like an island (i.e./the same as the difference between an island and peninsula in geographical terms!)

Peninsulas are often seen to be an extension of the rest of the kitchen whilst islands are a distinct unit separate from the other cupboards and worktops.

A kitchen peninsula can provide more space in a narrow kitchen and create a natural room division

Image source: http://farm1.staticflickr.com/33/62721571_caa965a7e0_m.jpg

 Space

One of the deciding factors between a peninsula and an island is the layout and size of the kitchen.

As a peninsula is fixed to one wall, it is much easier to incorporate into a small kitchen. For example, a galley kitchen which is not wide enough for an island could comfortably accommodate a small peninsula.

Both peninsulas and islands can be as small or as big as you decide, but the idea is that they complement the kitchen layout and are not a hindrance. L-shaped kitchens work particularly well with peninsulas as do open plan layouts; the peninsula can act as the perfect natural divider to separate the kitchen from the eating space.

It can be hard to visualise whether an island will fit into a kitchen without making it feel cramped or crowded. However, there are some general rules which can help you decide if you have enough room.

Roughly speaking, an island requires at least 120cm of clear space around it. This allow sufficient room for cupboard doors to be opened and people to reach inside. If you are planning on using the island as a table, make sure you factor in enough space for chairs and for people to get up and down without being too squeezed. This usually means allowing an extra metre around the island on all sides.

If you think your kitchen is large enough for an island, you also need to stop and think about the layout. In the kitchen, a lot of emphasis is placed on ‘the triangle’. This term refers to the space between the fridge, cooker and sink, the three places which cooks constantly rotate between. Experts advise avoiding placing an island which interrupts the space between the sides of the triangle; either forget the island or reconfigure your kitchen layout.

The smallest size island is usually a minimum of 80cm wide which is only suitable if being utilised as a snack bar. If you plan on installing a hob or electrical equipment, the island will need to be between 100-122cm wide. This means that your kitchen needs to have a sizeable amount of empty space in order to be able to comfortably accommodate an island, without the room looking and feeling cramped.

If the measurements don’t come up to scratch, a peninsula is a great alternative. As peninsulas are simply extensions of existing counter space, you can make them as small as you want and they are actually a wonderful way to divide up a long and narrow kitchen.

Large islands can be used for cooking as well as providing additional worktop and storage space

Image source: http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4109/5052101012_b5146ebf72_m.jpg

 Other considerations

But space is not the only factor which will determine whether a peninsula or an island would be best for your kitchen.

What you plan on using the space for also needs to be carefully considered as it could substantially increase both the cost and the amount of work required.

Using an island as a place for friends and family to sit and chat, or perhaps somewhere to grab a bit to eat is great but it can also be incorporated to be a more functional part of the kitchen. With not just cupboards around the base, but also a hob on top, islands can be an integral part of the kitchen equipment.

But whilst you may like this idea, the practicalities of doing this could be a deterrent. Supplying gas, electricity or water to the island will mean running cables, pipes or wires underneath the flooring to reach the centre of the room which could be not only time-consuming and complex, but also a lot more expensive. Peninsulas do not have this problem as they are part of the main kitchen layout, making it much easier to reach.

Visually both islands and peninsulas look stunning and when done properly, add elegance to a kitchen. Islands are perfect for breaking up a large open space which you don’t want to section off, whilst peninsulas help to define an open plan room by creating a border between living, eating and cooking areas.

However, peninsulas are generally slightly more restrictive as they need to match the rest of the kitchen, and their shape and dimensions have to fit the space. Islands provide a lot more freedom and are either designed to contrast or match and can also be made in any shape desired!

Conclusion

Whether you are looking for extra work surface, a space to eat or just a place for people to relax whilst chatting in the kitchen, both peninsulas and islands tick all the boxes. When you consider all of the above factors, one particular option may immediately seem to be more appropriate for your kitchen – but if you have the space, there’s nothing stopping you having both…dilemma solved!

Image credits: Telstar Logistics and Sitka Projects LLC

Sally Anthony works on interior design articles and project for Nicholas Anthony, who is specialising Poggenpohl and luxury kitchen design

Victorian v/s Edwardian:

To go in the literal sense, Victorian architecture means architecture that came into being during Queen Victoria’s reign- between June 1837 and January 1901. During this period, Britain was in the throes of prosperity and elite finery. Thus, Victorian Architecture is highlighted by bright colours, elegant and emotional strokes, coloured bricks and tiles. The roof of a Victorian building or home won’t slope too high, but you’ll notice pretty tall spires. Also, the window frames are heavy looking and are more often than not, made from stone. The Victorian people made no secret of the fact that they loved decorating, and this is easily evident from their architecture. Easy giveaways should be- bay windows that stick out, iron railings, patterned brickwork, stained glassed doorways and windows, slate roofs, windows that slide up and NO garage. In many places, common classifications of Victorian architecture are- Gothic and Italianate. A classic example of a Victorian structure would be the Sydney GPO.

The Edwardian architecture- coming from the era under King Edward VII- started in 1901 and went on right till the World War 1. It may be a little tricky to identify an Edwardian home, because more often than not they have hints of Art Deco and Art Nouveau, with a stroke of Victorian and a dash of Queen Anne’s coupled with a bit of Neo-Gothic. However, there are some features that make Edwardian architecture stick out from others. For one, they are a lot more spacious than the Victorian home. An ideal Edwardian home is two-storeyed and comes with great width- wide halls and even wider bay windows and glass panes, and very high ceilings. You’re sure to find a purpose-built bathroom, an almost-grand hallway adorned with a carpet of encaustic tiles and of course, the parquet flooring which is pretty much the USP of an Edwardian home. In some homes, you’ll be surprised to find quirky little additions like cosy small corners, panelled alcoves, and cushioned benches along the fireplace- thanks to the Arts & Crafts influence. From the outside, the plain red brickwork gussied up with painted wooden balconies and verandas and fancily tiled porches make an Edwardian house most easily identifiable. Because of the time in which this style came into existence, Edwardian houses show some pretty interesting mmix of qualities that can be easily fused with more contemporary styles. They form an interesting mix of architecture and that ever-beloved old-English charm.

Art Deco and Art Nouveau:

The only thing about Art Deco that most of us know is through whatever little we saw in movies like Miami Vice. Secretly, I like how artsy they sound. Though Art Deco can be said to have originated in France, its inspiration and existence can be traced back to the ancient Egyptian civilization. Art Nouveau, on the other hand, gained popularity in the 1890s.

Both Art Deco and Art Nouveau borrow design inspirations from natural elements like flowers, insects, etc. So what’s the difference between the two, apart from the second name? Well, for one, it’s the choice of natural elements used. You know you’re looking at Art Deco when you see flowers like roses, camellias and animals that symbolise speed and agility- like leaping gazelles. Art Nouveau, on the other hand, uses softer features through flowers like orchids, lilies, irises and insects like dragonflies and spiders.

Art Deco shows more of a Geometric bend with modern lines, sharp strokes, defined angles, sleek patterns and futuristic structures. Art Deco structures can be seen as a simile for an era embracing the machine age. A perfect example of Art Deco in modern architecture is the monumental Bacardi Building in Miami. In contrast, Art Nouveau is all about the abstract and the whimsical. The main idea of Art Nouveau design was to incorporate art into everyday objects- for instance a door-knocker shaped like a dragonfly. Art Nouveau is characterized by flowing lines, rhythmic curves and a silent resistance to the classical ball and chain. What exemplifies Art Nouveau? Check any building from the central district of Riga.

Feel architecturally enlightened now? Well, you can rest assured when that Smarty-pants starts these discussions again, at least it won’t sound ‘Hieroglyphic’ anymore.

Barbara Woodberry, the author of this article is an avid reader. She loves reading books of all genre. She works as an editor for a website called the magazinesubscriptions.com, which provides its customers with the cheapest and the best deals in magazine subscriptions.