Monday, April 29, 2024

The comprehensive guide to the IKEA Kitchen Planner

ikea kitchen design tool

In this guide, we review the best kitchen software that you can use to create your dream kitchen. When planning storage think about separating items into categories advises Dave Young of Husk, as this can help you plan what storage you need and where it should go. Here the Ikea METOD cabinets have been elevated with Husk's Verde Comodoro doors with an oak edge, a sink from Shaws of Darwen, a tap from Perrin & Rowe, knobs from Ferm Living and handles from Buster + Punch. 'Customizing an Ikea kitchen is the ideal way to create a really high quality, bespoke kitchen at a sensible price,' explains Dave Young, co-founder of Husk Kitchens. I wondered if other customers were okay with settling for that but I said it wouldn’t be a problem. The IKEA guy would come and take measurements, and then take notes on what I wanted.

AURDAL bedroom wardrobe planner

There are many different kitchen design software out there, and they can vary greatly in terms of functionality. There are many beginner-friendly software and sites, like Ikea Kitchen Planner and Planner 5D, that allow you choose layouts, sizing, colors, and then populate rooms with pre-built models. You don’t really need any kind of design knowledge or experience to use these software. From there, you go through the design process step-by-step, considering each factor such as layout, measurements and dimensions, kitchenware and furniture, then aesthetics like floor design and paint. The software then provides a cost estimate based on size, layout, materials, and finishes, and even provides the option of a free consultation if you want some professional advice. One of the best free kitchen designer software for homeowners is Lowe’s Kitchen Planner, developed by the furniture & home improvement retailer.

JÄTTEBO sofa planner

Office desk and dining chair planners allow you to combine different table tops or seats and legs, making it simple and easy to create a solution that works for you. Scan your room in the IKEA mobile app and design your own space to bring IKEA 3D products into your home, in mixed reality, or start in one of our 50+ virtual showrooms. Being able to do this effortlessly on the app was a big win.

IKEA kitchen planner

ikea kitchen design tool

For those looking for fully fitted kitchen ideas Ikea offers online and in-store planning services, including an online 3D planning tool that allows you to arrange and visualize kitchen layout ideas in minutes. Plus there’s the opportunity to buy countertops, appliances, sinks, and taps all in one place, along with a full installation service. There are many things to consider when designing a kitchen, including layout, materials, measurements, furniture, colors, and, of course, costs. If you’re looking for help getting started, our guide reviews the best kitchen design software for beginners, including options that provide free advice and consulting from professional designers. Whether you’re a professional, intermediate, or a complete beginner is going to have a big impact on what kitchen design software is best for you.

Build your own Desk planner

The app lets you take your plans wherever you go, handy when you’re out shopping around. Paid versions of SketchUp offer even more storage space and modeling options. Lowe’s 3D Kitchen Planner tool is free and offers various features worth checking out, especially if you’re planning a budget alongside the design.

But if you’re feeling confused, you can always turn to their designers for free consultation at any phase. Make the most of the 3D kitchen planner by experimenting with its different features and layouts to find one that works best for you. It lets you visualize how your space will look like with IKEA’s home products. You can see if your appliances and fixtures work with your layout.

I knew we’d have lots of questions and ideas to try out. I had thought 4fourhours would be enough time but now I wasn’t so sure. Of course, there is other kitchen planning software out there, such as KitchenDraw and Home Designer. These come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Our expert IKEA Kitchen Services team are available online and in-store for assistance with measurement, planning, and plan verification.

Kitchen services

Lowe’s also provides a guide to kitchen remodeling ideas and designs which is useful for beginners. As well as checking out other people’s designs, you can also use moodboards for inspiration, which gather together different decorations and furniture pieces from the Roomstyler library based on your preferred aesthetic. SketchUp is a 3D CAD software, so whereas the likes of Planner 5D allow you to arrange and customize pre-built models, with SketchUp you can create them yourself. So, you can design all your kitchenware from scratch and have complete control over each element.

ikea kitchen design tool

SMÅSTAD planner

In these planners, you can add and remove modular pieces and interior organizers, and save your design for later. For example, if you’re looking for a simple 2D planning tool with pre-built models, you can use free software like Planner 5D and Ikea Kitchen Designer. SketchUp provides an unlimited free version as well as several paid plans. The free version is a browser-based kitchen design software while the paid software is for Windows, with an iPad app also available.

Ikea kitchen ideas are a wonderful way to create a stylish and practical kitchen at an affordable price. Start by building inspiration boards, working from Lowe’s kitchen templates or using your own exact measurements. The step-by-step instruction makes it nearly foolproof.

For example, you can choose from glass-front, open, corner, and other cabinet styles. Remember, these are actual IKEA products, so they have real-world dimensions. That’s why we offer a wide range of professional kitchen services, including, measuring, planning, and delivery. We’re here to help with every step of your kitchen remodel project, so let’s get started.

Kitchen planners are quick and simple tools that allow you to customize ENHET kitchen combinations into a solution best suited for your home. Use our planning tools to select the perfect sleeping space for your bedroom. With modular sofa planners, you can create the perfect sofa combination from different modular pieces or covers.

There are six room shape options to start with, and you can further adjust the size and shape of the room so the dimensions fit your kitchen exactly. You can also add structural columns, electrical outlets, heating, ventilation, and fittings to design your kitchen as accurately as possible. Product planners are simple design tools that can help you create a complex product solution perfectly suited to your needs.

To the left of the cabinets, the black RÅSHULT unit offers additional moveable storage while thin floating wall shelves provide space to display more decorative ceramics and keep everyday essentials close at hand. For those planning a small kitchen layout, Ikea has plenty of small kitchen storage ideas to maximize every inch of space. Fitting Ikea cabinets with bespoke doors as well as designer fixtures and fittings is a brilliant way to create a practical kitchen with finesse. Work with our certified kitchen designers to get a personalized kitchen designed around your needs and vision. If you’re interested in learning more about our service, make sure to check out our IKEA Kitchen Design Services.

Kitchen Planner is a no-nonsense, no-commitment, no-frills kitchen-layout planner loved by consumers for its easy functionality and flexibility. When you’re starting to create the vision of your kitchen remodel, sometimes a pad and pencil just won’t do. You want something that you can draw up, either in 2D like a blueprint or 3D like a model.

Ikea expands services to include home interior design offerings - The Verge

Ikea expands services to include home interior design offerings.

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It’s best to start with the fundamentals – a rough vision or wishlist of what you want, and your budget. Sketchlist 3D isn’t free (software of this quality never are), but it does offer a 14 day trial and is very well supported, with weekly workshops to help you develop your designing skills. Cut lists list all the parts and materials needed for your project and contain information on key factors like measurements and quantities, so they’re a great help when bringing your designs to life. A graduate of Art History and formerly Style Editor at Period Living, she is passionate about architecture, creating decorating content, interior styling and writing about craft and historic homes. She enjoys searching out beautiful images and the latest trends to share with the Homes & Gardens audience.

Design and planning tools

ikea kitchen design tool

Though using artificial intelligence may sound intimidating, I can assure you using this tool is anything but. I used the app to create two living rooms, one "fantasy" room from IKEA's designs and the other using images from my real living room that I’m in the middle of redecorating. IKEA is not only a staple for stocking up on affordable furniture and decor—you can count on the retailer's seemingly-never ending collection drops to deliver new trends and get fresh design ideas. I love wandering the aisles of IKEA for inspiration, but truthfully, I rarely have the time to do so. And the showrooms do a great job of laying out the furniture that's easy to envision in a home, but… not necessarily my home.

Build your own Dining chair planner

Kitchen design is the process of designing a kitchen’s layouts, dimensions, surfaces, appliances, furniture, and aesthetics. It’s also used for remodeling existing kitchens and designing kitchen extensions. Today, most kitchen designs are created using CAD software. While Formica’s Design a Room option offers a little less in customizing design with exact measurements, it’s a great tool if you’re considering Formica finishes in your own home.

ikea kitchen design tool

Best Large 3D Printers in 2024 (All Budgets)

There’s a user-friendly interface, easy editing of objects (even custom patterns!) and 5,000 images in their library to help you close in on your desired look. You can also connect with others on the platform for kitchen design ideas and inspiration. Best of all, it works on all platforms and devices, from mobile to desktop.

BESTÅ living room storage planner

ikea kitchen design tool

Play with colors, styles, sizes and combinations with our easy to use planners. These tools make it easy to visualize and create your ideal solution. However, only certain items in the predesigned showrooms are available for instant purchase through the app. While they're used to style the rooms, only the "main" pieces of furniture can be added to your shopping cart. However, if you’re looking for a kitchen design software for business, there are a variety of programs including Cedreo and Visual Architect Kitchens & Baths.

SMÅSTAD planner

IKEA Fitted Kitchens Review (2024) - Architectural Digest

IKEA Fitted Kitchens Review ( .

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With the IKEA kitchen planner, you can save your designs and access them later. Or save multiple designs to compare them and see which you like best. You can also start from scratch by first selecting a room shape for either an enclosed or open kitchen space.

Find it on their website, or download it from the Mac App Store or Google Play. That's why we offer kitchen planning services for in-home, in-store and online with one of our Kitchen specialists to get all the help you need. At IKEA, you’ll find all the products you need to realize a complete dream kitchen. Whether your kitchen is large or small, we can offer you a wide range of well-designed and coordinated kitchen products that’ll support your every need, style and personality. Take some time to dream a little, look at some ideas, consider your needs and decide what you want in your ideal kitchen.

ELVARLI planner

Select one of the sofas that fit your style, then create a solution tailored to your home space. The premade showrooms (which you can make alterations to) offer some inspiration to get your design juices flowing if you find a blank space intimidating. Choosing from different schemes that match your personal style means you're able to starting with something you like. A new AI tool, Kreative helps you create a furniture layout and design scheme for your home.

Planner 5D – Best Free Kitchen Design Software on Mac & Android

Lowe’s doesn’t state what kitchen design software it uses, though it’s likely a custom made program or combination of various CAD and CAM software. It offers its own software, Lowe’s Kitchen Planner, but this is for consumers and may not be used by Lowe’s own in-house design team. There are several popular kitchen design software on the market. One of the most popular kitchen design software is SketchUp, a 3D modeling CAD program with millions of users around the world. Other popular programs include Visual Architect Kitchen & Baths, Sketchlist 3d, and Cedro.

We have tons of kitchen ideas so you can explore different designs and solutions that inspire you. Once you determine what your needs are and what your ideal kitchen looks like, you’ll for sure find a perfect match at IKEA. Schedule an appointment with one of the IKEA Kitchen Services experts to visit and measure your space, documenting the dimensions. Please be sure to schedule your measurement appointment at least one (1) week before your planning appointment so the measurements can be shared with your IKEA kitchen planning expert.

The other innovative option for designing through Kreativ is uploading your own room and virtually see how different IKEA designs look in your space. Once set up, the app allows you to shop and save products, filter by room and style to narrow down your search, and more—very useful, since IKEA has a massive inventory. It’s also worth noting that while there are many software made specifically for kitchen design, there are also some general CAD software, like SketchUp, which provide good functionality for this niche.

When I was researching on the IKEA Kitchen Planner and buying process, I did not find much information on the interwebs. Use the print and share features so you can show your architect or contractor your dream design. Play with the different layouts and color schemes until you find something you love. Be aware your shopping cart will be emptied when you change your online store.

Look at your existing kitchen and make a list of the things you like and what you’d want to change. From there, I decided to take advantage of the tool's suggestions for what "goes with it" and incorporated the furniture it selected. There were a few quirks at this point—I couldn't get the tool to suggest a coffee table, so I had to search for one. Using its advice, I was able to fully decorate a bright and sunny living room that felt very cohesive. Read on to learn how you, too, can use the AI to help you create the stylish space of your dreams—without hiring a designer. This free CAD software also provides a variety of practical features, such as the ability to create detailed reports on cost estimates and schedules.

The features and functionality a software has can have a big impact on its ease of use, accessibility and price, so you should look for programs that specifically offer what you need. However, if you want complete creative control over every aspect, you’ll need to start by choosing a 3D modeling software, like SketchUp, that gives you the option to create every part from scratch. Unlike the two software we’ve covered so far, SketchUp is a general purpose design software that’s not specifically designed for kitchens, but it still has a variety of great features that make it suitable for the job. There’s also options to hire a professional designer – with unlimited revisions – which can be helpful if you want to start off with your own home design and then get a pro to help with the finishing touches.

Swap the options in pre-designed kitchens to get a sense of how it will really look for you, from cabinets to countertops to tabletops. The tool is straightforward to use, but it does come with a few warnings from experts. For example, IKEA doesn't account for filler, or extra space that will allow you to fully open your cabinets if they're against a wall. Similarly, it doesn't leave room for additional countertop support between two appliances, which can lead to a bowing countertop in real life.

Sure, you can design a kitchen using the old fashioned model of pencil and paper, but using a top quality kitchen design tool app can make things so much easier. You can create both 2D and 3D models in high-quality renderings, with access to a library of over 7,000 pieces of furniture, decorations and materials, all of which have customizable colors and textures. It offers six different remodeling categories – full kitchen, cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, flooring, and paint – so it’s ideal whether you want to completely update your kitchen or just remodel certain elements. If you’re stuck for inspiration, you can kick things off using Lowe’s Kitchen Planner’s really useful style quiz designed to help you personalize your kitchen with colors, styles, and furniture.

Want a kitchen that is perfect for your own unique space? Our free kitchen planner, paired with your imagination, can help bring your ideal kitchen to life. We can show you a realistic picture of how to create a space that works for you. Personalize your dream kitchen down to the smallest details with custom countertops and interior organizers.

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Mercer Museum Wikipedia

mercer house doylestown

Finished to Mercer’s exact specifications in 1912, Fonthill remains an ornate, architecturally unclassifiable mansion constructed entirely out of poured concrete. The house is featured (by name and description) in Lewis Shiner's 1990 novel Slam, although in the book it has been relocated to Galveston, Texas. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older). Teenagers may visit without an adult but are not permitted to supervise children 12 and younger. You can bring a print-out of your ticket or a digital confirmation on your mobile phone as proof of purchase. You can bring a print-out of your ticket or your mobile phone confirmation as proof of purchase.

Price History for 28 Mercer Ave

All members and guests are encouraged to purchase online tickets prior to their visit. The museum features local and national traveling exhibits, as well as a core museum collection of over 17,000 pre-Industrial tools. DOYLESTOWN, PA — The beloved Mercer Museum Holiday Open House returns to the halls and narrow winding passageways of Henry Mercer's six-story concrete castle on Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. Moving up the floors, I spent a bit of time looking into each of the small rooms. Nearly every industry that used hand-powered tools was represented in the museum. No matter what industries interest you, you’re sure to find at least a handful of rooms that are quite fascinating.

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle Offering Virtual Programs - Patch

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle Offering Virtual Programs.

Posted: Thu, 11 Mar 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]

A Brief History of Scent With Saskia Wilson-Brown

In accordance with Mercer’s Will, Mrs. Swain resided in the house and conducted occasional tours until her death in 1975. It’s worth noting, that the historic nature of the castle prevents there from being heating and air conditioning in the building. While they have large fans that run in the summer, it can be very cold during the wintertime. I visited on a cold day in February and had to wear my coat, hat, and gloves during my entire visit. While the museum’s atrium contains most of the items in the Mercer Museum’s collection, I found the sixth and seventh floors to be even more interesting. Here, narrow rooms twist and turn, almost like a dusty attic in an ancient castle.

Clowning for Novices: History and Practice With Rose Carver

Service animals are permitted at the Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle in accordance with ADA guidelines. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide is directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Guests for the Mercer Museum will enter via the Helen Gemmill Plaza entrance, adjacent to the museum’s parking lot located on Scout Way, between Green Street and Pine Street. With a focus on residents, families and team members, Merrill Gardens offers quality senior living from a family-owned company that knows connection is everything.

Mercer personally designed plans for a museum to house his collection, six stories tall and cast of poured-in-place concrete. The Moravian Pottery and Tile Works is located on the same property as Fonthill Castle, and the Mercer Museum is located about a mile away. The well-traveled town of Doylestown is home to the impressive belt of historical attractions comprised of Fonthill Museum, Mercer Museum and The Tileworks; also known as The Mercer Mile.

The museum is actually one of three poured-in-place concrete structures that Mercer built around Doylestown. While Fonthill Castle was built as his home, and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works was built for his workspace, the castle that became the Mercer Museum was built to showcase his collection of machinery. It is located on the outskirts of downtown Doylestown adjacent to the fantastic Michener Art Museum. Mercer’s distinctive tiles are handmade from clay using the skills he learned from a Pennsylvania-German master potter. Many tell stories from history and literature, and they are everywhere throughout the castle from stairs to fireplaces. The most distinguishing aspect of Fonthill is that it is made entirely of hand-poured, reinforced concrete.

mercer house doylestown

But the storage building was made of wood, in the year 1872, the Great Boston Fire destroyed much of the city, and all of Mercer’s armor. Mercer decided to build with concrete after the Great Boston Fire of 1872 destroyed his aunt's prized collection of medieval armor, which had been stored in wooden structures. In June 2011, construction was completed on a new, extensive visitors center at the front of the museum. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Mercer collected pre-industrial hand tools and other implements of the past. He believed that the story of human progress and accomplishments was told by the tools and objects that people used and saw these time-honored crafts slowly disappearing from memory.

Fonthill Castle's 'Little House in the Woods" opened in Doylestown, PA - Bucks County Courier Times

Fonthill Castle's 'Little House in the Woods" opened in Doylestown, PA.

Posted: Mon, 21 Nov 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]

“Fonthill,” Henry Chapman Mercer House

I can’t recall ever seeing such an extensive collection, and it was quite interesting to see the similarities and differences in these advertising icons. This makes the museum a great place for children, though, I found the children’s audio description of the gallows to be a bit strange. For adults though, the museum’s great signage did seem to make the audio guide a bit unnecessary. In addition to the castle, two other buildings complete what is known as the Mercer Mile. Among the most popular Doylestown attractions, the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works and the Mercer Museum are well worth a visit.

About Fonthill Castle

The issue includes new information on Fonthill Castle’s construction and workers. Sign up now to stay up to date with the latest news from the Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle.

Tucked away in a Doylestown neighborhood, the 44-room Fonthill Castle is one of the most unique architectural works in Pennsylvania. Thanks to its construction and detailed interior, the enormous building is as much a curiosity today as when it was built over 110 years ago. Do you have questions about finding otherreal estate for saleor rentin Doylestown? You can browse all Doylestown rentals orcontact a Coldwell Banker agent to request more information.

Fonthill Castle was the home of the archaeologist and tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer. Built between 1908 and 1912, it is an early example of poured-in-place concrete and features 44 rooms, over 200 windows, 18 fireplaces, 10 bathrooms and one powder room. The interior was originally painted in pastel colors, but age and sunlight have all but eradicated any hint of the former hues. One room in the Terrace Pavilion (built on the site of the former home's barn), has a restored paint job so visitors can view the home's former glory.

These tiles were made by Mercer at the nearby Moravian Tile Works, and represent some of America’s most sought-after tiles. Unfortunately, because of the small confines of these top two floors, it’s worth noting that there is no elevator access to these floors, and they are not able to accommodate those who can’t use stairs. On the first floor, I especially enjoyed looking at the variety of Cigar Store Indians that were on display.

Open House To Fill Mercer's Castle With Holiday Sights And Sound Doylestown, PA Patch

mercer house doylestown

Upon her death, the Trustees of the Mercer Fonthill Museum determined to operate Fonthill Castle as a historic house museum and contracted with the Bucks County Historical Society to provide professional care and management. In 1990, the Bucks County Orphans court appointed the Trustees of the Bucks County Historical Society as the permanent Trustees of the Mercer Fonthill Museum thus solidifying the commitment to professionalism at the site. Fonthill Museum remains a separate legal entity from the Historical Society. Fonthill Castle offers one-hour guided tours through a portion of Henry Mercer’s historic home. Coldwell Banker Realty and Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC share common ownership and because of this relationship the brokerage may receive a financial or other benefit. You are not required to use Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC as a condition of purchase or sale of any real estate.

The castle’s construction was an experiment

From the vaulted ceilings to the polished floors, Mercer designed and oversaw it all himself in an experiment he wasn’t sure would work. He even told people that an architect who cared about his reputation would never make such risky choices. The museum is one of three poured-in-place concrete structures built by Mercer. The others include his home Fonthill and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, both of which are located one mile from the museum.

“Fonthill,” Henry Chapman Mercer House

The castle serves as an early example of reinforced concrete architecture and features forty-four rooms, over two hundred windows and eighteen fireplaces. Fonthill Castle’s interior features Mercer’s renowned, handcrafted ceramic tiles designed at the height of the Arts and Crafts movement. On the east side of town is the remarkable cluster of buildings that marks the impact of the Mercer family on their hometown. These include the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works (BU41), Henry Chapman Mercer's residence, as well as the house of his brother William, now the headquarters of the Bucks County Heritage Conservancy. His other focus was the restoration of the lost techniques of German craft tile.

Arrive early for your visit

In addition to the tiles Mercer made, you’ll see lots of examples from around the world. There are distinctive Delft blue tiles from the Netherlands, Chinese roof tiles, and Persian tiles. There are even 2000-year-old cuneiform tablets from Babylon incorporated in one of the columns. Mercer believed in his vision and the material he thought was best—concrete was cheap, fireproof, and easily molded. Since a visit here is still one of the top things to do in Doylestown a century later, the risk paid off.

Visiting the Mercer Museum: One of Pennsylvania’s Most Unique and Quirky Collections

SAH Archipedia tells the story of the United States through its buildings, landscapes, and cities. This freely available resource empowers the public with authoritative knowledge that deepens their understanding and appreciation of the built environment. In fact, six floors of history await to be explored and discovered at the Mercer Museum, featuring 50,000 artifacts representing 60 early American trades.

Built to house Henry Mercer's extensive collection of objects representing everyday life in the pre-industrial age. By clicking SUBMIT, I agree a Coldwell Banker Agent may contact me by phone or text message including by automated means about real estate services,and that I can access real estate services without providing my phone number. I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The historic castle portion of the Mercer Museum has an elevator and offers partial accessibility due to narrow passageways. It is not climate-controlled and may experience fluctuations in temperature and humidity, depending on external weather conditions.

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The welcome center, which was once the property’s garage, is just a few steps from the parking area. It’s best to arrive about minutes before the scheduled start of your tour to leave time to check in. Wealthy and curious, Mercer traveled the world for personal enjoyment and in his work as a collector, museum curator, and archaeologist. From England to Italy and beyond, his travels inspired the floor plan and details of Fonthill.

A 110-year-old home made of solid concrete presents an unusual visiting environment. Coupled with some low ceilings, a visit on an overcast day could mean a relatively low amount of light inside. Additionally, the first floor has air conditioning, but other spaces only have a fan, so it can get warm on a summer afternoon. Consider the overall conditions and what you’re comfortable with when planning a visit. A video in the visitor’s center explains how Mercer drew inspiration from castles along the Rhine River, and the tour gives even more detail.

Shakespeare With A Twist Returning To The Castle In Doylestown - Patch

Shakespeare With A Twist Returning To The Castle In Doylestown.

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We particularly liked the decorative tiles at the tops of columns and crisscrossing the ceiling vaults. With 44 rooms, 32 stairwells, 18 fireplaces, and 21 chimneys, this home was built to stand out. Many of those spaces are covered in tiles that Mercer designed and made himself or collected from around the world. Tours at Fonthill are packed with information about the castle and its creative owner and builder, Henry Chapman Mercer. It’s one of our favorite sites in Bucks County, and we have visited the distinctive property several times to soak in all its artistry in different seasons.

The Mercers would host lavish dinner parties there, with guests like Groucho Marx, Isadora Duncan and the Von Trapp family. When the family passed away, the mansion fell into despair, until the 1980s when the Heritage Conservancy took over. Today, you can schedule a guided tour of the mansion, or, rent it out for your wedding. The National Historical Landmark and “working history” museum produces handmade tiles and mosaics in the same style of Mercer’s original designs. Guests can even watch artisans throughout the entire tile-making process. Adjacent to Fonthill, the Tile Works still produces the Moravian tiles seen throughout the house.

Walking into the castle itself, you can’t help but notice the grand five-story atrium. Of the museum’s collection of 30,000 pieces, over 60% is on display, with many items still in the same layout that Mercer himself placed them over 80 years ago. Our first guide was fascinated by Mercer and his career, and she added lots of information about his travels and family background to her story. Our second guide was a lover of the architecture and tiles, pointing out many details that we might have otherwise overlooked. If there is an aspect of the site and history that particularly interests you, there is plenty of time for questions throughout the tour.

Guests will delight in the sounds, scents and scenes of the holidays during an evening of free musical performances, family activities, and a visit with Santa, as well as the traditional burning of the greens. The very back corner of the museum also contains a small section of Native American artifacts that were used primarily by the Lanape (or Delaware) Indian Tribe. A tilemaker at heart, Mercer also built the The Tileworks, a factory built with the idea of early Spanish mission and monastery architecture in mind. Receive the latest articles, features, news, discounts, and more straight to your inbox. Both of our guides at Fonthill were knowledgeable and shared similar types of information about the castle and Mercer. However, guides have some latitude in what they focus on as they move through the property because there are so many different things to highlight.

These interests were arrayed on the family estate, “Aldie” (BU42), where he constructed an early tile kiln. It offers limited accessibility with steep stairs and narrow, uneven passages throughout the interior of the site. Overall, though, I really enjoyed my visit to the Mercer Museum in Doylestown.

Whether it was incorporating ideas about wood paneling that he loved in a 12th-century English manor house or copying elements of Gothic and Byzantine architecture, Mercer brought a little bit of Europe to then-rural Bucks County. Besides being an archaeologist, Mercer was a self styled anthropologist, ethnographer, and perhaps most importantly, collector. When Mercer began to collect artifacts for his museum, his aunt informed him that she had a vast collection of medieval armor. Mercer was delighted, as he wanted the Mercer Museum to contain not only relics of American history, but world history as well. The armor was kept in storage in Boston while Mercer continued to collect.

Operating in the state of New York as GR Affinity, LLC in lieu of the legal name Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC. Please use and/or share my information with a Coldwell Banker agent to contact me about my real estate needs. Many of the rooms on the second floor of Fonthill Castle do not have air-conditioning, although they have fans. They tend to fluctuate in temperature more and may reflect the temperature of the outdoors more than typical climate-controlled areas.

The castle contains built-in furniture and is embellished with decorative tiles, made by Mercer at the height of the Arts and Crafts movement. The castle is filled with an extensive collection of ceramics embedded in the concrete of the house, as well as other artifacts from his world travels, including cuneiform tablets discovered in Mesopotamia dating back to over 2300 BCE. The home also contains around 1,000 prints from Mercer's extensive collection, as well as over six thousand books, almost all of which were annotated by Mercer himself. Fonthill is located north of the town center of Doylestown, on the west side of East Court Street, just south of the tile works. Its appearance is loosely based on European medieval castles, and has walls of concrete 2 feet (0.61 m) thick. The exterior is adorned by decorative tiles, the interior is furnished and decorated with Chapman's collections.

Analysis of Edgar Allan Poes The Fall of the House of Usher Literary Theory and Criticism

edgar allan poe house of usher

The story is narrated by a childhood friend of Roderick Usher, the owner of the Usher mansion. This friend is riding to the house, having been summoned by Roderick Usher, having complained in his letter that he is suffering from some illness and expressing a hope that seeing his old friend will lift his spirits. While Usher is explaining this to the narrator, the narrator sees Madeline, who looks ghostly, walk silently through a far corner of the room. From Usher’s description of her advanced illness, the narrator guesses that this will be the last time he sees her alive. In 1979, Italian state channel RAI loosely adapted the short story, together with other Poe's works, in the series I racconti fantastici di Edgar Allan Poe.[33] It was directed by Daniele D'Anza, with Roderick Usher played by Philippe Leroy; music was composed by pop band Pooh. A storm begins, and Roderick comes to the narrator's bedroom (which is situated directly above the house's vault) in an almost hysterical state.

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A series of bizarre incidents and exotic discoveries at sea, Pym lacks the cohesive elements of plot or quest that tie together most novels and epics and is widely considered an artistic failure. Poe’s style and concerns never found their best expression in longer forms, but his short stories are considered masterpieces worldwide. After leaving the University of Virginia, Poe spent some time in the military before he used his contacts in Richmond and Baltimore to enter the magazine industry. With little experience, Poe relied on his characteristic bravado to convince Thomas Willis White, then head of the fledgling Southern Literary Messenger, to take him on as an editor in 1835. Poe ultimately fell out of favor with White, but his literary criticism made him a popular speaker on the lecture circuit. Poe never realized his most ambitious dream—the launch of his own magazine, the Stylus.

Which 'Fall of the House of Usher' episode is based on which Poe short story?

A tendency to cast blame on others, without admitting his own faults, characterized Poe’s relationship with many people, most significantly Allan. Poe struggled with a view of Allan as a false father, generous enough to take him in at age three, but never dedicated enough to adopt him as a true son. There are echoes of Poe’s upbringing in his works, as sick mothers and guilty fathers appear in many of his tales. His behavior becomes even more erratic and distracted, and it begins to affect the narrator’s own mental state. One stormy night, the narrator cannot sleep and begins to have inexplicable feelings of terror.

A 179-year-old Edgar Allan Poe Poem Reveals What Fall Of The House Of Usher's Verna Really Is - Screen Rant

A 179-year-old Edgar Allan Poe Poem Reveals What Fall Of The House Of Usher's Verna Really Is.

Posted: Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Summary & Analysis

So, I think it’s well past time we took a look at all of those Edgar Allan Poe references that Mike Flanagan and his creative team packed into the series. Every episode title, every character name, and countless minute details pay homage to the poet, right down to his petty squabbles. Gothic literature, a genre that rose with Romanticism in Britain in the late eighteenth century, explores the dark side of human experience—death, alienation, nightmares, ghosts, and haunted landscapes.

What Is Your Favorite Mike Flanagan Series?

Roderick Usher is a gifted poet and artist, whose talents the narrator praises before sharing a poem Usher wrote, titled ‘The Haunted Palace’. The ballad concerns a royal palace which was once filled with joy and song, until ‘evil things’ attacked the king’s palace and made it a desolate shadow of what it once was. Poe was often dismissed by contemporary literary critics because of the unusual content and brevity of his stories.

Usher says that Madeline’s doctor suggested this, and the narrator believes it reasonable. Usher tells him that they were twins and always shared an uncanny sensibility. They replace the coffin’s lid, and the narrator shudders at Madeline’s flushed face and slight smile, as if she could be alive. The story opens with the narrator riding alone on a cloudy autumn day to theHouse of Usher.

As the narrator reads of the knight's forcible entry into the dwelling, he and Roderick hear cracking and ripping sounds from somewhere in the house. When the dragon's death cries are described, a real shriek is heard, again within the house. As he relates the shield falling from off the wall, a hollow metallic reverberation can be heard throughout the house. At first, the narrator ignores the noises, but Roderick becomes increasingly hysterical. Roderick eventually declares that he has been hearing these sounds for days, and that they are being made by his sister, who was in fact alive when she was entombed. Although it borrows its title directly from one of the Poe's most famous stories, Episode 7 really has a couple of different sources.

Character Names

edgar allan poe house of usher

So, class, cue up your streaming devices and let’s take a dive into this list of the chilling Poe references in The Fall of the House of Usher. In addition to these highly credible responses, scholars have also noted various resemblances between Usher and his creator. Usher's physical appearance, featuring "a cadaverousness of complexion; an eye large, liquid, and luminous … lips somewhat thin and very pallid … [and] an inordinate expansion above the regions of the temple," could pass as a portrait of the author. Depending on which biographer one consults, Usher's characterization also recalls other similarities with Poe. Little wonder that in Usher's library his "chief delight … was found in the perusal of… the Vigiliae Mortuorum " (Services for the Dead) in an ancient church manual. One could easily see this story, like many others, as effecting the psychotherapy of art for the grief-haunted, anxiety-ridden writer.

Lo! Death has reared himself a throne.

Like Madeline, Roderick is connected to the mansion, the titular House of Usher. He believes the mansion is sentient and responsible, in part, for his deteriorating mental health and melancholy. Despite this admission, Usher remains in the mansion and composes art containing the Usher mansion or similar haunted mansions. His mental health deteriorates faster as he begins to hear Madeline's attempts to escape the underground vault she was buried in, and he eventually meets his death out of fear in a manner similar to the House of Usher's cracking and sinking.

Roderick Usher was tottering on the brink of mental collapse just as the ancestral House of Usher tottered on the brink of physical collapse, as though man and mansion shared a common spirit and common state. From both, an eerie environmental gloom exuded, tainting all within their sphere and rendering everything cheerless, comfortless, and careworn. Sensing and shrinking from his inevitable fall into madness, Roderick Usher summons an old schoolmate to stay with him and divert him from his disturbing phantasms and disconsolate meditations. Upon the wary guest’s arrival, Usher apprises him of the character of his mysterious, mentally-induced malady of soul and body—as well as with the intelligence that his twin sister, the Lady Madeline, resides also within the crumbling walls succumbing to diseases of her own. These are his terrors, and yet he embraces them as he obsessively paints images of crypts and writes dirges of shattered joys and haunted palaces. There can hardly be a starker image of the self-propagating distress of the subconscious.

Usher himself is suffering from a “mentaldisorder,” which is “a constitutional and . One wonders, until one recallsthat, in the third paragraph of this story, even before Roderick has been seenfor the first time, the narrator mentions that the ancient “stem” of the Usherfamily never “put forth . So lain.” In other words,Roderick and Madeline Usher are the products and inheritors of an incestuousfamily lineage—one that has remained predominantly patrilineal, so that thename of the family always remained Usher. The narrator and Roderick place her in a tomb despite her flushed, lively appearance. In the tale's conclusion, Madeline escapes from the tomb and returns to Roderick, scaring him to death.

In “The Fall of the House of Usher,” he deliberately subverts convention by rejecting the typical practices of preaching or moralizing and instead focusing on affect and unity of atmosphere. Contemporary readers and critics interpreted the story as a somewhat sensationalized account of Poe’s supposed madness. (As a recluse, Poe often invited such accusations.) Later scholarship pursued alternative interpretations. Some scholars speculated that Poe may have attached special importance to the fact that Roderick and Madeline are twins, noting that Poe previously investigated the phenomenon of the double in “Morella” (1835) and “William Wilson” (1839). Other scholars pointed to the work as an embodiment of Poe’s doctrine of l’art pour l’art (“art for art’s sake”), which held that art needs no moral, political, or didactic justification.

He describes a childhood friendship with the owner, Roderick Usher.Roderick had requested the narrator’s company during his convalescence from anillness. The narrator reflects on the once-great Usher family and that theyhave only one surviving direct line of descendants, comparing the beautiful butcrumbling house to the family living inside. Fearing that her body will be exhumed for medical study, Roderick insists that she be entombed for two weeks in the family tomb located in the house before being permanently buried. The narrator helps Roderick put Madeline's body in the tomb, whereupon the narrator realizes that Madeline and Roderick are twins. The narrator also notes that Madeline's body has rosy cheeks, which sometimes happens after death.

Whether the reader is trapped by the house or by its inhabitants is unclear. Poe uses the term house to describe both the physical structure and the family. On the one hand, the house itself appears to be actually sentient, just as Roderick claims. Its windows are described as “eye-like,” and its interior is compared to a living body. On the other hand, there are plenty of strange things about the Usher family. For one, “the entire family lay in the direct line of descent,” meaning that only one son from each generation survived and reproduced.

This fact, together with Poe's technical mastery of the short story medium, helps explain why "The Fall of the House of Usher" has attained classic status, more so than any other of Poe's fiction. In a shocking development, Madeline breaks out of her coffin and enters the room, and Roderick confesses that he buried her alive. Madeline attacks her brother and kills both him and herself in the struggle, and the narrator flees the house. It is a stormy night, and as he leaves he sees the house fall down, collapsing into the lake which reflects the house’s image. Roderick grows more erratic in his behaviour, and the narrator reads to his friend to try to soothe him. The plot of the romance (a fictional title invented by Poe himself, called ‘Mad Trist’) concerns a hero named Ethelred who enters the house of a hermit and slays a dragon.

House Hacking 101: Getting Started with Real Estate Investment

house hacking

The world of real estate investments is growing alongside technological advancements. Learn which type of investment aligns with your interests and skill sets. FHA 203(k) loans can be a great option, but they are subject to strict requirements as to when work must be completed and the types of work covered.

House hacking in Los Angeles, CA

And remember to handle repairs, collect rent, and keep the peace between tenants. This strategy is perfect for homeowners with extra space who are okay sharing common areas with a roommate. So, let's dive in and look at what house hacking is, everything you need to know about it, and how to get started.

The Benefits of House Hacking

Where the rental property is separate, you always need landlord insurance. Landlord insurance covers property damage from fire and storms similar to a homeowners policy, but it can also cover lost rental income. Once you’ve determined the NOI from the units you’ll be renting out, compare it to your monthly mortgage payment on the whole property. If you can reasonably charge more in rent than the cost of your mortgage payment, that extra income can be put towards other expenses or even saved.

How Landlords Benefit From Renters Insurance

In general, though, you’ll always need enough cash for a down payment on the house. Depending on the loan program, that amount can vary from 3% to 25% of the purchase price. While this concept has its roots in pricier urban areas where homeowners found it challenging to manage their monthly mortgage amidst soaring living costs, its application has broadened significantly over the years. The main home's primary bedroom — the one I turned into a micro studio — is renting for $875. I'm charging the other tenant for the remainder of the house $1,305.

How To Get A Property Survey

Some may require pet- or plant-sitting, and light household maintenance as well. Based on the information you have provided, you are eligible to continue your home loan process online with Rocket Mortgage. House hacking is a modern lifestyle choice that borrowers use to gain income from their home.

I quit my high-paying tech job at Meta after having panic attacks - Business Insider

I quit my high-paying tech job at Meta after having panic attacks.

Posted: Mon, 09 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Benefits of House Hacking

Buying a house has gotten so expensive that homebuyers need to make about $50000 more than they did pre ... - Fortune

Buying a house has gotten so expensive that homebuyers need to make about $50000 more than they did pre ....

Posted: Sat, 02 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

House hacking is a real estate investment strategy where you earn rental income by renting out your main residence. Most often, house hacking means renting a portion or one unit of your residence while living in the other. The income received usually goes towards monthly mortgage payments, property taxes, and other housing costs. It’s the simplest way to become a real estate investor and an easy way to improve your monthly cash flow. At its core, house hacking is about buying a property, living in part of it, and renting out the other parts. This strategy can significantly lower or completely cover your mortgage payments and other housing costs.

Consider Multi-Unit Housing Options for House Hacking Los Angeles

For that reason, ensure your holding company is a disregarded LLC, and the rental income flows down onto your tax return rather than being filtered through a partnership entity. Further, if you own your primary residence for over two years, then sell it for a profit, you may have tremendous tax benefits. If you file your taxes as an individual, you may realize up to $250,000 in capital gains without paying a dollar in federal income taxes on it! If you file as a married couple, then you may receive the first $500,000 in profit without paying any taxes on it. Purchasing and living in a home near a major train station, bus stop, or freeway can be a great investment strategy. Occupancy rates are typically higher as well because these areas tend to be in high demand due to the nearby social events, restaurants, city entry points, and amenities.

house hacking

If you’re thinking of house hacking, start with a consultation with a lender and a preapproval for a loan to find out how much cash you need and to get an estimate of your monthly payments. After living in the property for a year and gaining at least 20% equity, we recommend refinancing to a conventional loan. This will remove the monthly premium (which increases your monthly cash flow) and will also free up the FHA loan so you can purchase another rental property. First-time home buyers can purchase property with very little down with a conventional or an FHA loan.

house hacking

After roughly 11 years living on the streets of San Diego, Rachel Hayes moved into an apartment last summer. For a while she’d wake up every few hours in the night, unfamiliar with the stillness, solitude and quiet of her own space. She even returned to her tent to sleep on the street some nights. Logan is a practicing CPA and founder of Choice Tax Relief and Money Done Right. After spending nearly a decade in the corporate world helping big businesses save money, he launched his blog with the goal of helping everyday Americans earn, save, and invest more money. It only applies to 3- and 4-unit properties (not SFRs or duplex) bought using FHA financing.

It’s also one of the most accessible ways to invest in real estate because, whether or not you’re a homeowner already, it doesn’t require a ton of cash to get started. Next, calculate your monthly mortgage payment, which will require the purchase price and estimated down payment amount. Mortgage Calculator makes it very easy to calculate your mortgage payments online. Your monthly payment is then subtracted from the NOI to arrive at your monthly cash flow. This number indicates how much rental income you have left over after paying all property expenses—including your mortgage. Creating an ADU often involves a significant upfront investment and navigating local building codes.

This is a house hacking strategy for lower-priced markets, but they’re harder to profit from an expensive housing market where rents aren’t usually enough to cover the mortgage. When you live in a unit, you’ll get to know the property—and the types of tenants it attracts—well. When you’re ready to move out, you’ll be more comfortable as an off-site landlord than if you didn’t have that experience. Then, when you rent out the unit you lived in, you’ll enjoy the additional cash flow. House hacking is an appealing strategy — but unfortunately there is not a way to approach it without owning a property.

Saturday, April 27, 2024

New York Botanical Garden Creates a Wonderland Adventure The New York Times

design backyard

Concrete’s not just a slab of gray, hard landscaping that looks like a boring sidewalk. Over the last several years, concrete has become more of an art form. Concrete contractors can color and stamp concrete into various designs and styles, further elevating the appearance of your outdoor flooring, and tying your landscaping designs together. Prolific gardeners, pool owners, and tool enthusiasts need a place to keep all their gear, or they risk cluttering up their gorgeous backyard. No longer merely a practical storage building on your property, a shed is part of your yard sight lines and should be selected for how well it suits the feel of your yard. For its size, aesthetic, and usefulness, this highly rated shed available at Wayfair fits nicely in many large backyards.

14 Above-Ground Pool Landscaping Ideas You’ll Want to Copy

How to Elevate Your Garden With Ceramics (And Not Just Flower Pots) - The New York Times

How to Elevate Your Garden With Ceramics (And Not Just Flower Pots).

Posted: Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

From rustic to elegant, wood fuel or propane, a backyard fire pit is sure to see a lot of use. Identify driveways, patios, pathways, decks, artificial grass, fire pits, and more. If you’ve been looking for a way to hide an air conditioning unit or an electric meter, this is a great opportunity to use a privacy screen. A screen can be a built structure or a series of planted trees or shrubs. A strategically placed trellis screen or a row of evergreen hedges can hide less attractive areas in your landscape. Incorporating sustainable practices in your backyard garden not only supports environmental health but also enhances your garden’s sustainability.

Small Backyard Pool Ideas

Go crazy and plant a little bit of a lot of different things to achieve this picturesque outdoor style. Plant some lavender here, daisies or other florals there, a boxwood, some vines and other shrubs . The overall look is only limited to plants that thrive in your climate. Plus, if you have nosey neighbors, or want to enjoy your garden in peace, check out these 7 plants to create more privacy in your backyard. As well as creating a practical space, you also want visual impact in your backyard.

The Best Plan In 3D?

Patio furniture has become more diverse as consumers spend more time living outside when the weather is warm. A useful and attractive sloped backyard landscaping idea is the addition of a retaining wall. This wall holds back soil and prevents soil erosion and potential damage to your home.

Large Backyard Patio

A successful project is an elegant marriage of built features (hardscape) with the living plants (softscape). We are passionate about stylish outdoor living and healthy thriving gardens that connect you to the natural world. After installation, we offer ongoing horticultural consultations in concert with a skilled maintenance program to ensure healthy stewardship of your investment to its full potential.

Not creating ‘zones’

design backyard

Customize your outdoor living space with gravel, tile, pavement, and more to give viewers a real feel for what will be beneath their feet. Deck, pool, and patio designs spring to life in the 3D window as you work in the 2D window. Inside the 3D backyard designer window, every element of the image is customizable. As you create, the landscape design software updates automatically to reflect your changes. Check angles, property lines, landscape features, and more in 3D to ensure they make sense in the real world. If you are looking to create a deck or patio design in your backyard, we have gathered together some of the best ideas to help get you started.

Prioritize the activities you are most likely to engage in and allow room for ornamental plantings. This allows you to add nicer seating options, and gives you the opportunity to scout out the best outdoor furniture stores and shop for accessories that complement the backyard landscaping. Artist/designer Laura Morton creates sumptuous, award-winning outdoor spaces that transcend daily life.

As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features. We use a third-party vendor to conduct a criminal records search in the county in which the business owner or principal works. Our third-party vendor uses a national criminal database ("NCD") to screen service professionals.

Raised Patios, Rooftop Lounges and More: How Homeowners Are Transforming Small Yards In Big Ways - Real Estate

Raised Patios, Rooftop Lounges and More: How Homeowners Are Transforming Small Yards In Big Ways.

Posted: Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Water Feature with Fountain

Not everyone needs a space to mingle and party, but instead some folks would get more use from a quiet backyard sanctuary. If that’s you, find your favorite area of your backyard, and turn it into your own peaceful place. Partial privacy options can create a little hideaway in your own yard, giving you the mental break you need to meditate, read, or think. Not only is a vegetable garden a charming backyard landscaping idea, but it also provides you with a hobby that gets you outside in the fresh air. It’s hard to beat the taste of healthy, fresh veggies you grow and harvest yourself. While summer is a time when many veggies thrive, there are still many vegetables you can grow through the fall.

The Planner 5D Floor Plan Creator is a beginner-oriented instrument to create any floorplan layout with zero designer skills. Finally, decide how much time you’re prepared to spend on maintenance too as this will effect what materials you choose. If you're worried about the cost of landscaping a backyard, decide how much money you want to spend then look into options that work within your budget. In the case of SURFACE DESIGN’S Tank Hill project in California, those footholds in the wall aren’t for plants – they’re for the family of free-climbers who live there. While fences are a sure-fire way to keep things private, consider going lush with your greenery when choosing garden screening ideas to create a more natural-looking private divide. An artful design composition creates a beautiful orchestration of color and texture.

The warm natural tones of wicker and wood can help soften a space, so they’re smart choices to consider when selecting outdoor furniture and outdoor dining pieces. Likewise, weatherproof rugs, throw pillows, and chic landscape design can all add dimension and visual breaks for the eye, which add to the overall experience. It’s only natural to find plenty of plants in outdoor spaces, but when working with truly small square footage, they can be more than just beautiful.

28 Ideas for Creating the Ultimate Backyard Oasis

design backyard

There are a variety of pools out there to suit your specific needs—your ideal backyard pool landscaping may include a diving board, a small pool for the kids, or a specific shape or length. Installing the correct outdoor lighting will not only create a more inviting and relaxing space, but is another trick for making a small  backyard look bigger. In fact, if you have a compact, outdoor space, experts recommend painting your fences a green shade. Not only will it make your backyard appear bigger, but this blends effectively with your outdoor greenery.

Backyard Pool Ideas

Add fire pits, barbecues, pools, trees, plants — even vehicles, pets, and people — to capture the style your client has requested. You may place these elements in both your 2D and 3D designs via the yard design tool’s drag-and-drop function. Consider what spaces are wanted then see how they can fit into the backyard layout. A fire pit can transform your back patio design into an extension of your living space. There are many ways to incorporate a fire pit into your landscape design.

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From weather-proof rugs and upholstered furniture to lighting, paint, patio decor ideas, and landscaping, there are options to beautify outdoor spaces of any size, layout, or style. When it comes backyard landscaping ideas, your biggest financial outlay will be the cost of professionals - landscape architect, garden designer, electrician, builder and so on. There will also be a significant cost in the hard landscaping materials you choose (expect to spend most on boundaries, paving, patios and garden structures). For a minimalist feel that doesn’t make your concrete patio look too sparse or cold, add varying textures and colors to make the space appear inviting.

Define Your Space with Containers

This design by Collected Interiors features a large gas grill complete with an extended island—perfect for prep and dining—along with sleek metal cabinets for storage. Consider incorporating a fun detail like an outdoor bar into your patio setup. Nickell Morgan of Simply Handmade proves that you can do this even when working within the confines of a small space. A splashy tile adds character and contrast, while bistro lights lend to the effect.

design backyard

Best of 2024 Winner: Best Backyard Design and Build • Paso Robles Press - The Paso Robles Press

Best of 2024 Winner: Best Backyard Design and Build • Paso Robles Press.

Posted: Fri, 22 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Add a bar to your backyard on a budget by setting up an outdoor workbench with rolling shelves. This cheap backyard idea is dressed up by string lights and a white pergola, but everything on the bar is portable and easy to remove after entertaining. A fire pit doesn’t have to be huge in order to create a cozy entertaining space. This small backyard places a portable fire pit in one corner with just two Adirondack chairs for intimate gatherings. Make space for seating even on a tiny back porch with a hanging swing. A marbled coffee table provides a spot to set drinks or food, while a few poufs fill in with additional seating.

Try Multiple Seating Areas

Pools are not only pleasing to look at, but also ideal for entertaining, especially if you are looking for backyard ideas for kids that adults will love, too. This property in Virginia, designed by landscape architect Joseph Richardson, features an infinity-edge pool overlooking the woods. When designing backyard landscaping, consider how you will use your garden year-round, and work the elements that will be used regularly into the design. So, if you love to gather around a backyard fire pit, ensure that's a permanent fixture with seating rather than one you drag in and out of the shed. A decorative pot can be used as a focal point at the end of a pathway.

How to Plan Your Backyard Landscape

design backyard

Keeping your backyard vibrant requires consistent maintenance and adaptation to seasonal changes. Proper care ensures that your grass, plants, flowers, and trees remain healthy and your landscaping retains its aesthetic appeal. In your backyard, selecting the right accessories and decor can transform your outdoor space into a personal haven of peace and pleasure. Evaluate the dimensions of your backyard to determine the potential for garden beds, entertainment areas, or play spaces. Transform your patio into an inviting al fresco destination for family and friends.

This backyard has a huge concrete patio that allows for multiple seating and living areas. A large outdoor umbrella provides shade for cushioned furniture, while a dining area is set up just next to the grill for fun summer barbecues. This design places a patio with reclining chairs right next to the water, with a wood frame extending from the house to hang string lights or curtains for added shade and privacy. Modular concrete panels allow homeowners to construct a variety of features including privacy fences, benches, and barbecues. The affordability and availability of concrete materials make it a top choice for backyard patios. Stop fumbling around in the dark, and shine some light into areas of your backyard.

Mixing and matching pieces, on the other hand, is a way to put your own personal thumbprint on the design. Here, Collected Interiors combines a set of unique outdoor sofas with funky black chairs. Those who reside in chilly locales might get more use out of their patio by offering a source of warmth. A chimney fireplace offers just that in this beautiful outdoor space by Michelle Yorke Interior Design—while also providing a focal point. The chimney is double-sided, providing heat and ambience for both sides of the patio.

Selecting outdoor lanterns for walkways keeps people safe, and creates an opportunity for homeowners to add another personal touch to their outdoor space. The layout of your space lets you know the best type of path lighting, whether it’s installed or portable, like these whimsical lanterns available at Etsy. It’s possible for everyone to have a garden for their home (actually!). Container gardening uses pots for growing plants, veggies, and flowers instead of growing them in the ground.

If your garden is always full of blooms, turn an outdoor shed into your own personal flower shop! This shed has a gorgeous wood interior with plenty of shelves for storing garden supplies and extra vases. A covered patio can often provide a surface on which to affix creature comforts like a ceiling fan. Fans are also a great way to keep pesky bugs like mosquitos and flies away. What’s more, the hum of the fan’s white noise can drown out disturbances like traffic, lawn mowers, and loud neighbors.

These can be simple or ornate, depending on the statement you want to make. Made from materials like iron, bamboo, or wood, a trellis can be made or bought in several designs to suit the decor of your backyard. You can always hire a landscape designer or architect to help your outdoor space realize its potential.

A long, white gas fire pit is the perfect focal point for this chic space designed by Alice Lane Interior Design, but you've got many options to choose from. Brick pavers can transform any plot of grass into a defined patio area. Once you've done that, you can dress up the space with patio furniture or a dining spot, as pictured in this design by Collected Interiors, where the herringbone pattern adds even more charm. Fill your backyard design project with plants, utilities, and decorations. If you are building a house and need someone to take care of the landscape, Planner 5D is the perfect tool for you. Or if you’re thinking that your backyard design could use a little freshening up, we can help you with this project too.

Stop by your local The Home Depot store for more backyard landscape ideas. I've been creating decks, pergolas, and outdoor furniture for over 15 years. To save money, choose perennial plants that return each year and require minimal maintenance. DIY projects like homemade stepping stones or repurposed planter boxes can also be cost-effective. Consider sourcing materials locally or using recycled items to further cut costs. Consider using hanging planters or trellises to grow climbing plants.

You can have a stationary pit built from pavers or stone or a prefabricated metal fire pit that’s mobile. Divide your large backyard into distinct zones for various activities, such as a dining area, a play space, and a vegetable garden. Incorporating native plants can reduce maintenance while outdoor lighting can enhance the functionality and aesthetics of each zone.

Enjoying your backyard and maintaining it are two separate activities. For more pleasure and less upkeep, bring features to your backyard landscaping that reduce the amount of grass you need to mow. Instead of grass, build a deck or terrace to extend your living space.

The House of Usher & the House of Poe: Celebrating 175 Years of Horror

edgar allan poe house of usher

In “The Fall of the House of Usher,” the setting, diction, and imagery combine to create an overall atmosphere of gloom. The story opens on a “dull, dark, and soundless day” in a “singularly dreary tract of country.” As the narrator notes, it is autumn, the time of year when life begins to give way to old age and death. A mere glimpse of the Usher mansion inspires in the narrator “an iciness, a sinking, a sickening of the heart.” Upon entering the house, the reader as the narrator navigates through a series of dark passages lined with carvings, tapestries, and armorial trophies. Poe draws heavily on Gothic conventions, using omens and portents, heavy storms, hidden passageways, and shadows to set the reader on edge. Just like in the episode, Poe's short story of the same name features a party thrown by a character called Prospero (played in the series by Sauriyan Sapkota) which is crashed by a mysterious masked figure. Instead of contending with acid falling through overhead sprinklers, the politically influential revellers in Poe's story are the aristocracy trying to escape a plague within the privileged confines of the prince's palace — but in the end, it comes for them all.

Summary & Analysis

Roderick Usher is a gifted poet and artist, whose talents the narrator praises before sharing a poem Usher wrote, titled ‘The Haunted Palace’. The ballad concerns a royal palace which was once filled with joy and song, until ‘evil things’ attacked the king’s palace and made it a desolate shadow of what it once was. Poe was often dismissed by contemporary literary critics because of the unusual content and brevity of his stories.

Summary: “The Fall of the House of Usher”

Edgar Allen Poe’s short story “The Fall of the House of Usher” wasoriginally published in September of 1839. In the tale, the narrator visits achildhood friend who is sick and in need of company. The house is old anddecrepit, and it seems to cause the madness of the last surviving Ushersiblings, Roderick and Madeline. When Madeline succumbs to an illness, she isburied in a house vault, only to return after a premature burial. Madelineemerges from the vault the night of an intense storm and collapses on herbrother in death. Rather than convey a lesson, Poe's story explores gothic elementsof the supernatural and evil to convey this tale of horror.

Poe's Stories:

He describes a childhood friendship with the owner, Roderick Usher.Roderick had requested the narrator’s company during his convalescence from anillness. The narrator reflects on the once-great Usher family and that theyhave only one surviving direct line of descendants, comparing the beautiful butcrumbling house to the family living inside. Fearing that her body will be exhumed for medical study, Roderick insists that she be entombed for two weeks in the family tomb located in the house before being permanently buried. The narrator helps Roderick put Madeline's body in the tomb, whereupon the narrator realizes that Madeline and Roderick are twins. The narrator also notes that Madeline's body has rosy cheeks, which sometimes happens after death.

All 'The Fall of the House of Usher' Poe References Explained - Netflix Tudum

Usher comes to his room with a lamp and asks the narrator if he has seen “it” (20). Usher opens the draperies and reveals a strange luminous cloud hovering around the house. The Martian Chronicles, a 1950 collection of stories by Ray Bradbury, contains a novella called "Usher II," a homage to Poe. Its main character, William Stendahl, builds a house based on the specifications from Poe's story to murder his enemies. It is revealed that Roderick's sister, Madeline, is also ill and falls into cataleptic, deathlike trances.

Episode 2: “The Masque of the Red Death”

A tendency to cast blame on others, without admitting his own faults, characterized Poe’s relationship with many people, most significantly Allan. Poe struggled with a view of Allan as a false father, generous enough to take him in at age three, but never dedicated enough to adopt him as a true son. There are echoes of Poe’s upbringing in his works, as sick mothers and guilty fathers appear in many of his tales. His behavior becomes even more erratic and distracted, and it begins to affect the narrator’s own mental state. One stormy night, the narrator cannot sleep and begins to have inexplicable feelings of terror.

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As you've probably already noticed, Mike Flanagan's The Fall of the House of Usher is jam-packed full of Edgar Allen Poe references. But as well as the Usher children being named after Poe characters, each episode of the show is also largely based on one of Poe's short stories, just one of many clues that help predict exactly how each of Usher will die. Several days later, Roderick tells the narrator that Madeline has died, and they lay her to rest in a vault.

edgar allan poe house of usher

A series of bizarre incidents and exotic discoveries at sea, Pym lacks the cohesive elements of plot or quest that tie together most novels and epics and is widely considered an artistic failure. Poe’s style and concerns never found their best expression in longer forms, but his short stories are considered masterpieces worldwide. After leaving the University of Virginia, Poe spent some time in the military before he used his contacts in Richmond and Baltimore to enter the magazine industry. With little experience, Poe relied on his characteristic bravado to convince Thomas Willis White, then head of the fledgling Southern Literary Messenger, to take him on as an editor in 1835. Poe ultimately fell out of favor with White, but his literary criticism made him a popular speaker on the lecture circuit. Poe never realized his most ambitious dream—the launch of his own magazine, the Stylus.

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He witnesses Madeline's reemergence and the subsequent, simultaneous death of the twins. The narrator is the only character to escape the House of Usher, which he views as it cracks and sinks into the mountain lake. The bedroom door is then blown open to reveal Madeline, bloodied from her arduous escape from the tomb. In a final fit of rage, she attacks her brother, scaring him to death as she herself expires.

edgar allan poe house of usher

Until his death, he believed that the New England literary establishment had stolen his glory and had prevented the Stylus from being published. Summoned to the House of Usher by a “wildly importunate letter,” which “gaveevidence of nervous agitation,” the first-person narrator goes to reside for atime with the writer of this letter, Roderick Usher. Although Roderick had beenone of his “boon companions in boyhood,” the narrator confesses early in thestory that “I really knew little of my friend”; yet, by the end of this gothictale, he has learned more about the occupants of the House of Usher than he isequipped to deal with. A week after Madeline’s death, the narrator lies awake with an unexplainedfeeling of fear. A storm rages outside, and despite efforts to reason withhimself, he shakes with terror.

Whether the reader is trapped by the house or by its inhabitants is unclear. Poe uses the term house to describe both the physical structure and the family. On the one hand, the house itself appears to be actually sentient, just as Roderick claims. Its windows are described as “eye-like,” and its interior is compared to a living body. On the other hand, there are plenty of strange things about the Usher family. For one, “the entire family lay in the direct line of descent,” meaning that only one son from each generation survived and reproduced.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Cruises on Norwegian Pearl

norwegian pearl cruise ship

The second show we had was called "Sea Legs", and is a stage revue featuring ​girls in fabulous costumes similar to what you see in Las Vegas. This show also included two excellent gymnasts (a man and a woman) who performed high over the stage. We attended the naming ceremony for the Norwegian Pearl in December 2006 and then cruised on her for two nights and a day on a cruise to "nowhere".

Balcony (BD)

However, one of the things that struck us during our cruise is how easy and comfortable the flow is on Norwegian Pearl. There aren't many instances of "you can't get there from here," which is, of course, wonderful. Another thing we really enjoyed is the usability of the atrium on decks 7 and 8. Norwegian chose to make this area two stories tall, rather than create an atrium concept with towering empty space. So, in this case, the atrium, with crystal lights hanging from the ceiling, is comfy and cozy, while still being expansive and airy.

Suite (MB)

However, after traveling from Germany to England, and on to Miami, the ship was christened by Rosie O’Donnell and sent on its way. The third Jewel-class ship, Norwegian Pearl was ordered in 2004, laid down in 2005 and launched in 2006 by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. While the construction went by rather swiftly, the launch was not without its drama. The large Spinnaker Observation Lounge also has live performances and dancing in the evening. Some nights have themed parties such as rock and roll, disco, or country and western, which sound like a lot of fun. Those looking for a specialty coffee need look no further than the ​Java Cafe in the Atrium, and gamblers can stay close to the casino in the spacious Casino Bar.

BIG picture Norwegian Pearl decks

Our spacious Club Balcony Suites feature a sitting room, giving you extra room to spread out. Sliding-glass doors open to your balcony, and amazing views. Cruise to the breezy islands of The Caribbean, or simply sit back and sail through the world's greatest shortcut on a Panama Canal cruise. Whatever you choose to do, we invite you to experience the wonders of getting there aboard Norwegian Pearl. Her 16 chic dining options, 14 bars and lounges, dazzling casino, tranquil spa, and spacious Garden Villas are just a few things that make this Jewel Class cruise ship a destination of her own. SE-SF Penthouse Suites have sitting-sleeping areas (queen bed), bathroom (bathtub, shower), minibars.

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Norwegian Pearl is a luxurious ship, featuring amazing amenities, such as the first bowling alley to hit the high seas. The most recent Norwegian Pearl refurbishment took place in 2017, as part of the cruise line’s ‘Norwegian Edge’ renovation program. During the drydock period, staterooms and public spaces were updated, bringing the ship in line with its more modern sister vessels. The size of the ship -- not too big, not too small, with plenty of bars and venues -- is what makes it great for these theme cruises.

Norwegian Pearl Staterooms

A Sail Away Oceanview stateroom guarantees an Oceanview stateroom or better! Please note that the view may be fully obstructed, partially obstructed, porthole or picture window. A Sail Away Balcony stateroom guarantees a Balcony stateroom or better! For starters, the main pool area features a children’s splash pool for the youngest travelers in your group. Then, there’s Splash Academy, an all-kids area on deck 12 that offers games, arts and crafts and themed days for elementary-age kids to learn and play at the same time. With a maximum capacity of 2,394 guests and a length of 964 feet, this is not a small cruise ship.

The Haven, however, is the VIP area of the ship, where you’ll find completely upgraded staterooms and suites that are almost in their own little neighborhood, away from all the other staterooms. You enjoy extra amenities here, too, such as concierge service. Oceanview rooms are, as you might expect, a little larger. You can anticipate more floor space and more room to stretch your legs. Mandara operates the Norwegian Pearl spa, which features 20 treatment rooms, 3 of which are designed for couples.

Norwegian Pearl staterooms review, floor plans, photos

Those seeking a little extra luxury can book a room in The Haven, an exclusive area with its own suites, pool, and services, all located on the top decks of the ship. The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues. These Norwegian Pearl Inside Staterooms are the most affordable way for your family to cruise. With room for up to four guests, you'll have two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and additional bedding to sleep two more. Interior staterooms include amenities such as small sitting areas and televisions. We’ve compiled all the need-to-know facts for your perusal.

norwegian pearl cruise ship

Oceanview (OC)

An interesting fact is that Pearl is one of 12 cruise liners allowed to discharge their treated wastewater in Juneau, Ketchikan and other main Alaskan harbors. These liners are also permitted to discharge laundry, shower and kitchen runoff (called "grey water"). Norwegian Pearl itinerary program is based on Alaska cruises from Seattle WA in the summer. The NCL Pearl also sails to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean out of Miami FL and on repositioning crossings through Panama Canal. For the most up-to-date testing, masking, and vaccination requirements aboard Norwegian Pearl, please refer to Norwegian’s Health and Safety protocols. You can also use Cruise Critic's guide to health requirements on the world’s major cruise lines as we know them.

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Located at the top of the ship, The Haven features the most luxurious, well-appointed accommodation on board. These Inside Staterooms are the most affordable way to cruise. There's room for up to four guests and they include two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and of course, you'll have room service and many other amenities. In addition to the participatory activities on the Norwegian Pearl, the cruise ship has some excellent onboard entertainment. The first is the famed improvisational comedy troupe The Second City.

Once on the balcony, you’ll see that you have even greater views, thanks to the balcony railing’s transparency. The ones that are least subject to noise are those on decks 9, 10, 14 and 15, whereas most of Norwegian Pearl’s cabins to avoid are on decks 5, 8 and 11. These are located right below or above noisy public spaces such as the pool, the theater or restaurants.

Passengers exempted from the new (uncommon for the industry) room service fee are only the occupants of “The Haven” suites. Still, as an exception, all passengers can order (for free) their room-service morning coffee and Continental Breakfast. After implementing the new service charge, NCL upgraded the room service menu, adding more hot food items for Breakfast and a wider food & drinks selection (available for ordering 24 hours a day). A Sail Away Mini-Suite stateroom guarantees a Mini-Suite stateroom or better! Please note that the view from your balcony may be fully obstructed or partially obstructed. Your stateroom may be on any deck and assigned up to one day prior to embarkation.

This ensemble group performs one night each sailing and also hosts onboard workshops for children and adults. The kids' workshops focus on the important principles of improvisation such as listening to others and working as a team. When you want some "me" time, look no further than Mandara Spa®. Relax with a hot-stone massage, one of over 50 specialty treatments offered.

The Restaurant Reservation and Management System helps passengers determine which restaurants are busiest and the wait times. This system consists of flat-screen TVs placed in high-traffic areas around the ships and shows each restaurant's availability status. Indicator bars reflect when each restaurant is "full," "short wait," "filling up," or "empty." Screens also show an estimated wait time in each restaurant and the different table sizes available. If you are craving a certain type of food and the restaurant is full, the hostess will give you a wait time and issue a pager that works all over the ship. This allows passengers to relax in a bar until a table is available. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to your very own private balcony.

Also includes a sitting area and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a private balcony with a great view. Because they are mid-ship, you'll have easy access to everything on board. Not to mention you'll have a private balcony to enjoy the incredible view. These Norwegian Pearl Owner's Suites are a truly luxurious way for you to get away. Includes a separate bedroom with a king-size bed and luxury bath with separate shower, in addition to the living room, dining room and large private balconies with incredible views. Sleeps up to four and guests receive access to the private courtyard area.

Club Balcony Suites are even larger and more luxurious, with slightly upgraded furnishings. They also feature more luxurious bathrooms and showers, compared to the standard balcony rooms. Regular suites are even larger, with expanded balcony space and interior seating. The Spinnaker Observation Lounge on deck 13 has spectacular views, a dance floor, some really interesting seating, and a stage for entertainment. The Sky High Bar and Topsiders Bar next to the pool offer views of the pool and deck areas, and Mambo's Bar overlooks the Crystal Atrium.

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