Home Decorating

If you have ever owned a home, you may plan to have some home improvement tasks for the bathroom after some time of stay. While a lot of us are unfamiliar with how to go about, that doesn’t mean we cannot start our very own DIY projects. Let us take a look at some of the ideas that to liven up that bathroom of yours.

If your bathroom looks old and lifeless, there are actually quick and easy fixes to liven the appearance of your home almost instantly. Consider replacing floor covering, throw on a new paint of coating, or getting new sets of bathroom towels and a new shower curtain. They simply give life to any bathroom instantly.

When getting bathroom towels, you can choose deeper colors or the ones with patterns. Even though white displays some form of elegance, the color is already too commonly used in most bathrooms. If you think out of the box, any bathroom accessories like bath towels, bath robes, bath mats and such can be used for decorative purposes. All you need to do is to match them correctly with the main bathroom decoration and importantly, choose colors that will not make you bored after a while.

If your bathroom is large enough, you can consider placing plants at some corners for a greener and natural look. Take note to get the ones which have higher tolerance to light and high humility. On top of that, install decorative lighting fixtures on the walls and ceiling, putting dimmer light switches and using some beautifully hand-crafted baskets for your bath accessories. Paint the walls or plaster with them with tiles to match your bathroom theme.

On the contrary, if the bathroom is not large enough for so many bathroom accessories, try to create some areas yourself. For example, installing shelves on the walls for larger storage and aesthetical bathroom displays or you could simply place a full-height cabinet at the side showcasing all your beautiful bath sets.

The name Norman is derived from a region of Northern France. Norman architecture refers to the constructions made by the Normans. These are not only seen in Northern France and England but also seen in Southern Italy and Sicily. The style of architecture used in Norman buildings is called Romanesque style. The period of Norman architecture extended from 1066 to 1204. In the year 1066 the Saxon-Dane rulers of England were overthrown by the Normans.

NORMAN ARCHITECTURE:

The Normans developed the wooden Motte and Bailey castles in Normandy. This was the first event in the evolution of Norman architecture. Later after invasion of England the Castle keep was used by the Normans. This castle keeps replaced the top of the wooden Motte. Later on, stone was used by the Normans to build their castles. This made the advent of the Norman-Romanesque Architecture. New techniques were developed by the Normans in the construction of castles. They developed the stone vault ceiling, the buttress and the arch to support the weight of the stones and bricks used in the construction of the castles.

These castles build under Norman-Romanesque architecture were very expensive but the castles were long-lasting and durable. The castles were constructed in such a way so that they indicated Fear, Ave, Domination, Envy, Submission, Respect, Power and Wealth. The best site for the construction of the castle was close to a river or a sea.

Stones used in the construction were very heavy. Roman arches were utilized to support this heavy stones. The windows were very small in size so as to support the walls from collapsing by giving them strength. Stone roofs were constructed. These roofs were supported by the vaults. The vaults were of different types like Barrel or Tunnel vaults and Groin Vaults. The Norman arches were made with simple geometry. The arches had zig zag carvings around it. The doorways were present under the tympanum under the arch. These zig zag patterns were also called chevron patterns.

NORMAN CASTLES:

The Norman castles were very massive and housed many men and horses. The castles also housed cavalry. The castles were used to govern the surrounding districts and also to frighten people around. Not only castles but many churches and cathedrals were also constructed in this Norman architectural pattern. The churches had a cruciform plan. The castles were mostly built on a high and elevated land. The Norman castles were initially built with timber. Later, after invading England they were converted to stone. The wooden motte on which the castle was built was not strong enough to bear the weight of the solid stone tower. To solve this problem the Norman castle keep was developed and also the weight of the tower was reduced.The walls of the castles also had some sculptures carved on them.

Sustainable architecture is the idea of using environmentally conscious techniques and materials in the field of architecture. This green building and living technique is intent on creating as little waste as possible, using renewable and clean energy, and building with materials that are not damaging to living things or the earth’s environment.

Energy Use
Perhaps the largest component of sustainable architecture is how energy is used to provide power for the structure that is being built. Excellent insulation is important in a structure that is built with conserving energy in mind. Passive solar energy such as that gathered from strategically placed windows is also an important component in conserving energy and using sustainable energy sources. Awnings, shades, and shutters are considered green in that they use no electricity but can serve as passive building cooling devices.

Renewable Energy
Solar panels are utilised to capture renewable energy for use in an environmentally conscious home or building. Active and passive solar hot water heaters are another component of creating sustainable and renewable energy.

While small wind turbines may also be utilized as a way of harnessing wind power to create energy, they are not useful until winds reach at least eight-miles-per hour.

Air source heat pumps act much like an air conditioner but in reverse. These pumps can absorb heat from cold outside air and deliver it to inside the home or building. Geothermal heat pumps can also utilize warmth from deep in the ground to heat a building or home.

Building materials
Sustainable building materials may include: rock, straw, bamboo, trass (a type of volcanic rock), linoleum, sustainably harvested wood, sheep wool, concrete, clay, sisal, cork, coconut, and vermiculite. Recycled materials are also an important component of sustainable architecture and may include: denim, glass, and reclaimed, or re-used, lumber. Re-used doors, windows and other recycled architectural components are also a part of sustainable architecture.