The CES Trade Show would normally be unveiling gadgets and devices but the event does showcase some of the advanced home improvement technologies one would certainly be interested. Among them include this Samsung Smart Digital Windows which should be a neat alternative over the traditional transparent windows.

The window is actually a monitor of sorts in disguise, something that allows users to check the weather outside and browse websites as well. The window measures about 46” diagonally and has a pixel count of about 1366×768.

The window can double as a TV of sorts as well, allowing you to check the news or your favorite TV programs at any time. For a better example, check out the video.

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Samsung Smart Digital Window Alternatives

The design may seem something you may have already seen commercially but for sure there are some folks who would probably make use of it in their homes too. Something like this one designed by Irena Ivanova who designed one for a residence just outside Sofia in Bulgaria.

The home is actually a project piece made for a family of three children and is divided into two doors.

The first level is partially presented in the photos below. It features an open plan living and dining area. With three types of lighting – hidden-, built-in and hanged lamps, this part of the house can easily change its atmosphere at a push of a light generating button.

The overall design seems neat in case you are up for home improvement renovation soon, a cheerful setup that seems to make it easier as far as setting the ambiance and the mood in homes is concerned.

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Contemporary Ceilings with Integrated Lighting

Since it won’t be long before the future holiday merrymaking in December, and hence the Beer Hammer Bottle Opener is a must have tool. This nifty little kitchen took is a hammer and a bottle opener and will help everyone to get hammered. Retailing on Think Geek for $8.99, the  Beer Hammer Bottle Opener is all about improving your home while having a cold chilled beer.

The Beer Hammer Bottle Opener

Home interior designers can look forward to another potential home improvement fixture with these lamp solutions from the Labware Series. The Labware Series offer various lighting solutions in the form of pendant lamps, table lamps and floor lamps. The lamp shapes were made using mouth-blown white opaque glass which accounts for the lightweight nature of these lighting solutions.

They come with low energy bulbs which should address power consumption concerns. The collection includes a spherical pendant lamp, a large spherical table or floor lamp, a conical pendant lamp, a large conical table or floor lamp, a cylindrical pendant lamp and a cylindrical table or floor lamp. The lamps were designed by Benjamin Hubert and won the Blueprint Award for Best New Product at 100% Design.

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Labware Lights Series

For the aspiring home improvement consumers, the Knot Table should get you all twisted. Kino Guerin of Canada offers an entangled looking furnishing, a wooden tablet that should become a stunning addition to any home.

This is actually a coffee table made from smoked oak veneer. The curves created from these wooden panels are elegant, intricate and would flow naturally with any style of living room decor. Twisted but stunning, this is a table that modern home owners are going to love, particularly the suckers for odd but unique made pieces offering functionality in their home.

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Why not the Why Knot Table?

While we are all still looking for the proper ambiance through various light sources, here is an idea. Normally you would see a lava lamp as the size of a lamp but here is one that comes in a bigger make. The Giant Lava Lamp is made to order and will set you back for about £2400.

Not cheap but definitely a home improvement gadget you can seriously consider. It can be coated in any color scheme you may fancy and the liquid inside should be poured on the spot. The supposed lava is good for 2,000 hours of use and refillable packs are available.

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Giant Lava Lamps

They may seem creepy but for the people who want something different for their homes, the Living Kitchen from Michael Harboun should be something different. In fact, this kitchen design may yet be a step into the future, applying some nanoscale self-organizing robots, all of them together creating a shape-shifting mass of matter able to create basically whatever you like.

They feature separate controls which help send signals to control different things but if you want something impressive, this is one concept that will surely work for your home improvement needs.

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The Living Kitchen

For the sports fans, particularly the ones hooked on football, Select Rugs has announced the release of a new line of rugs for your home improvement needs. Over 400 College and NFL area rugs offered in multiple design options are available.

Select Rugs NCAA Rugs are made of a very durable and soft Nylon, and have a non slip backing. Each rug is custom made in the USA, and are available in 4 sizes, each rectangular in shape. NFL team rugs are offered with multiple design options as well.

(Source) Press

Select Rugs Unveils 400 College and NFL Area Rugs

When it comes to designing your home, make sure you consider the patio as well. Many people are focusing largely on the interiors. Home improvement includes the outdoors and it looks like two groups are going to make sure that it is included by improving the forgotten patio through free outdoor room design consultations.

The Designer Room Review is geared to help the homeowner create a well planned and personalized outdoor space by tapping the expertise of a professional designer.

Homeowners can have the outdoor room of their dreams by following three simple steps:

1. Click a link – Visit Home Infatuation and click the link for “Free Designer Consultation”.
2. Designer Selection – Select the designer of your choice and email him/her your photographs and specific ideas on how you want to change your space.
3. Feedback – Your designer will review your photos and provide user-friendly design recommendations, often within three business days.

(Source) Press

Stylish Patio Ideas

When it comes to renovating, improving or redecorating your home, you just have to make sure that you cover all aspects of your home improvement from the first time you go through it. There should be minimal space for errors to make sure that you don’t end up spending more than what you originally budgeted.

Apparently for areas like the UK, this is a must. While many would deem this as impossible, you just have to be patient and map out everything, consider the “ifs and buts” from day one. Once you modify or have something made, rest assured you will pay for that. Like it or not, it is considered done so it would be best to look at it over and over again before you make your final decision.

The recent survey revealed that one in ten home owners are looking to improve their homes in 2009 and if every job is completed correctly first time, the work has more chance of being completed within the planned budget. Any DIY mistakes have the potential to be very costly to correct and as a result, can throw a project completely off course.

(Source) Press

Make Home Improvement Right from the very Start

Healthy cleaning produces healthy homes. And when Electrolux is mentioned, you know you are getting some quality made stuff, especially if it is geared towards the home improvement area. As far as the Electrolux Oxygen Central Vacuum System is concerned, homes need the right cleaning to keep hygiene to its optimum level.

Especially if you have kids or people who lack the proper system to stave off these germs or infections which may more or less make them sick, anyone can get all the help they can get from these appliances that can only get better with technology inputs.

The Oxygen Central Vacuum System is available in two models, the 600-airwatt Model ZCV910 for homes up to 7,000 square feet and the 650-airwatt Model ZCV920 for homes larger than 7,000 square feet. The sleek, art deco-styled Oxygen power unit provides a vivid LCD display panel that tells the user how efficiently it is operating and when to empty the dirt collection receptacle. An integrated silencer also assures quiet operation.

The Electrolux Oxygen Central Vacuum System can only be purchased online. The Model ZCV910 Oxygen power unit can be purchased for $669.95.

This is not affiliated with Bedzine.

(Source) Press

Electrolux Oxygen Central Vacuum System

Make way for the future of home interiors with these line of furniture solutions from Dario Antonioni of Orange22 Design Lab. Branded into the Aerodynamic Carbon 22 furniture collection, these are modern day furniture that are sure to wow home improvement fanatics.

With all the pieces in the collection, you can see the influence of Dario Antonioni’s life-long love affair with aerospace engineering. The collection includes a desk, stool, end table, a cocktail table and a signature chair. All the furniture units are made from 100% carbon fiber and utilize advanced technologies to carve “blacker than black” furniture.

Since the collection is inspired by flight, each piece creates sensual flows of air when tested in a wind tunnel. The harmonious lines and use of distinctive materials add to the wow factor. Carbon fiber, we know is very lightweight, and combined with Antonioni’s visual aesthetics, creates an aspect of something totally new and different.

(Source) Bornrich

Aerodynamic Carbon22 Furniture

So much for the traditional home improvement needs, when you have guests arriving, offer them a drink in style with specially made alphabet letters as your ice cubes. Traditionally, you just use the trays with the carved letters and wait them to turn into ice and you can have them placed in the usual ice bucket or glasses, providing an interesting sidelight when dining or having drinks.

While most people are worried about how the place looks, go to the extremes and offer them something that can top of your great home design. Alphabet ice cubes can certainly change the ambiance, theme and of course the things you pull out of your ref. Not that big but an impact is sure to come out of it.

“Liven up that glass of your favorite drink, or create an awesome message out of jello, butter, cake batter, or of course water with these edible letters.”

(Source) Luxury Housing Trends

Alphabet Ice Trays

Contrary to what people believe in getting better value for your money on expensive remodeling of a home, you can really do it on a budget with the right approach and resources.

A lot of it has to do on how you outsource raw materials, contractors and designers. Many people today want an all-in-one deal since they don’t have the luxury of time to spare when it comes to home improvement. However, you may be surprised at the savings on cost if you exert a little effort. Some even just around 10 minutes on the phone to do and you may save yourself a couple of hundred on the side.

For the people who want to remodel on a budget, here are some good tips you may want to consider when it comes to remodeling and what you want to prioritize:

Replace kitchen countertops.

Upgrade bathrooms to make them safe and easier for people of all ages and abilities to use.

Paint a room for an instant uplift, and perhaps add crown moldings, chair rails and other trims.

Extend your living space to the outdoors by updating your landscaping, adding a path to an outlying seating area or building a small deck or patio.

Enhance curb appeal by replacing the front door with one designed to withstand the elements. A few planters and perhaps a bench are additional welcoming touches.

Improve energy efficiency by sealing heating and cooling ducts along seams with duct mastic or metal-backed tape and insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces.

Get rid of clutter and install organization systems to reduce stress and create more usable space in your home.

(Source) Ohio.com http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/34506984.html

Home Facelift Done on a Budget

Are you a hard-core home improvement nut like us?  Then you might enjoy this DIY on how to install a central vacuum yourself.

After several months of research, I installed a central vacuum system in my house during many nights and weekends from December 2004 through January 2005. It was a big project, but well worth the effort. This instructable is intended to give an idea of the scope of the project.

via zedomax

DIY – How to Install a Central Vacuum in your Home!