Homelement.com Introduces its High-Quality Specialty Store

BedroomSetDirect offers a complete range of bedroom furniture. Their expansive inventory includes traditional and contemporary bedroom set; beds, headboards, dressers, chests, nightstands, armoires, vanities & mirrors, benches, bedroom accessories, daybeds and futons, and much more. Just some of the popular brands featured are Powell, Pulaski, American Drew, Homelegance, Hillsdale, Global Furniture USA, Home Styles, Nexera, Prepac, and Abbyson Living.

The country’s tumultuous economy has increased demand for quality, affordable furniture. BedroomSetDirect meets this demand: every item offered combines high quality and superior craftsmanship. Additionally, all items are durable, which offers long-lasting value.

BedroomSetDirect.com is committed to creating a smooth, complete—and safe—online shopping experience. To accomplish this, they offer “Furniture Shopping Made Simple.” More than a motto, this is a company mission, driving them to offer Selection, Quality, Better Savings, and Professional Service, with every transaction.

The BedroomSetDirect site is incredibly easy to use. Additional features include: bestsellers, for the site’s current top-selling items; featured items, highlighting the day’s big deals and specials; and shop by brands, an easy-to-use sortable feature allowing customers to quickly search for their favorite brand. All items for sale are viewable in clear, helpful—and authentic—photographs. BedroomSetDirect accepts all major credit cards, Google checkout, and PayPal, and provides a secure web server payment technology.

Homelement Stores, Inc., parent company of Homelement.com, is excited about the launch of BedroomSetDirect.com. “Our customers have been telling us for months that they’d like a one-stop store specializing in bedroom furniture. BedroomSetDirect resoundingly meets this demand by providing selection, price, and quality,” states Joice Tan, Operations Manager for Homelement.

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Jamaica Real Estate Strata Corporations Agitate For New Property Laws

Jamaica property and strata corporations lobby the Jamaican government to get proactive laws that will force real estate owners to remain compliant with maintenance fees and insurance premiums; Colin Scott VP of Jamaica-Real Estate.Net comments on the importance of this unprecedented law in Jamaica's history and how it could dramatically change the values of real estate in the island.

Jamaica real estate values are set to get a boost if the Jamaica Association of Strata Corporations (JASC) can lobby the government into drafting new laws that will result in stiffer penalties for delinquent owners of Jamaica apartments. "The major problem has been the non payment of maintenance fees and insurance premiums by property owners in strata run complexes," stated Colin Scott VP of Jamaica-Real-Estate.Net. "If these fees are not paid the property can quickly become dilapidated and shrink values by as much as 70%," Scott added. Research has shown that of the two thousand plus registered strata complexes island wide, over ninety percent of these properties owe on their maintenance fees and insurance premiums. This is a staggering number that now threatens to undermine real estate values in the country.

Possibly the most alarming fact is that when most of these properties are placed on a Jamaica auction, they end up being sold without any consideration to previously owning fees on the property. This is really a loop hole in the system caused by little or no government oversight with regard to the matter of strata management. It is based on this fact that the JSAC is agitating for new legislature that should prompt renewed education and reduced delinquency in strata run properties. "It is the Jamaica mortgage companies that have really suffered in this matter," Scott cited. What he was referring to was the fact that as collateral values waned there existed a tangible risk of debt to collateral value ratios becoming weaker.

The new law if passed might well widen the existing rift in values of Jamaica real estate in urban, rural and tourist regions. One of the most startling anomalies cited in appraisals of homes for sale in Montego Bay Jamaica was the disparity in estimated market values of as much as eight thousand percent (8,0000%) in properties less than one (1) mile apart in distance. As mind boggling as this discovery was, the fact is that owners of apartments in tourist regions are much more likely and able to remain compliant with strata fees. This means that in the existing down turned economy the values of property in urban and rural areas will decrease and a much more significant rate than those in the counterpart tourist trafficked areas.

Jamaica beach homes fall in this category. As these are known as prime property it is essential that proper maintenance be employed to keep the values stable. Thus the proposed law would seek to regularize the process to levy a caveat on the title on all property within the strata. This would preclude the sale of any property before all arrears owning are cleared. This can address only the problem of delinquent property owners and not wayward strata managers. Typical cases of the latter can be found as many homes in Negril Jamaica are controlled by strata organizations yet are left to run down to deplorable conditions dues to corrupt strata controllers.

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Can a 100-Year-Old Home Become Green?

Although the "greening" of an existing house has unique challenges not faced by those who have chosen sustainable new construction, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) believes it is possible to create an energy and resource efficient home and site after undergoing a "gut" rehabilitation.

The "gut" rehab of the 100-year-old Dutch Colonial in Cornwall-on-Hudson was designed and completed by Aryeh Siegel Architect, of Beacon, New York. The construction manager was Noah Matalon of Radiant Consulting, Garrison, New York. The Landscape Architect & Environmental Planner for the project was Dirk Sabin of Marbledale, Connecticut.

In addition, the heating & cooling system assessment and installation were performed by Keith Monthie of AccuAire of Poughkeepsie, New York. The Radon Residential Mitigation Provider was David Barber of Acceptable Environment in Newburgh, New York. As well, the energy efficient lighting design was created by Christopher Ventresca, LEED AP, of Manhattan, New York, a Principal of interior design firm Ventresca Design.

The residence is currently part of the USGBC's Pilot program for "Gut" Rehab Projects and is being evaluated for a LEED designation, with the likelihood of being the first "gut" rehab project in New York State to be awarded "Gold Certification." The dwelling has already qualified for the Home Energy Star designation.

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Colorado Mountain Estate Debuts!

One of the finest luxury estates in Evergreen, Colo., is -- for the first time in its 24 years -- available for purchase. Nicknamed Meadow Mountain Estate and nestled on 7.8 acres in Evergreen's prestigious Soda Creek community, the supremely custom land/home package is offered at $5.2 million. It is listed by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokers of Evergreen.

Built into Soda Creek's wooded hillside, the southwestern-style main residence began as a smaller more traditional home when constructed in 1985. But in 1992, its original owner, Terry Epstein, began a massive renovation of the existing structure. The three-year transformation added 3,700 square feet to the main home and completely changed its interior and exterior motif.

Working with Evergreen-based Tolleson Architects and Vintage Designs, the end result was a stunning 10,000+-square-foot reflection of the architecture, materials and nature-inspired ambience that Epstein had always admired while vacationing in Santa Fe, N.M.

"I had traveled to Santa Fe numerous times when I decided I wanted to dramatically change the look and feel of my property," says Epstein. "I wanted a property that was more comfortable, more natural. . . a place where one could really enjoy life."

Epstein even went so far as to add a 600-square-foot heated guest tipi on the property grounds. Designed by Lakota Indian John Eagleday, the tipi is complete with authentic hand-painted Native American wall murals, a stone-ringed fire pit, hardwood floors, an AV system and waterproof canvas walls custom crafted by Colorado Yurt Company.

Post-renovation, the home features seven private bedroom suites, a solar-heated indoor pool and hot tub, four striking water features, a 12-person hot tub cavern, a game room, a 16-foot bar, a 1,200-bottle wine cellar, home theater, 17 televisions, audio-video system, numerous patios and roof-top decks, and more than 125 expansive windows framing views of the Continental Divide.

A meandering stone walkway connects the main home to the guest tipi, various terraces and park-like areas, a fenced playground and a six-stall livery stable with caretaker's quarters.

This Rocky Mountain estate is sited just 35 minutes from downtown Denver and an hour from Colorado's world-class ski resorts.

Archerfish Featured on 'Designing Spaces'

Cernium Corporation, the leading developer of analytics-enabled video products, announced today that Archerfish(R), the first and only mobile video intelligence (MVI) solution, will be featured on the award-winning home improvement show, Designing Spaces. The segment, which features Archerfish at work in the home of an Arlington, VA family, will air nationally on the WE network on June 5, 2009 at 7:00 am ET and TLC on June 6, 2009 at 7:00 am ET.

Archerfish gives consumers an innovative, convenient way to keep an eye on their businesses and homes, no matter where they are physically located. Using a combination of video cameras, intelligent software and a custom web portal, Archerfish 'watches' businesses and homes for events users define as important, such as children coming home from school or an unwelcome intruder. Unlike other monitoring products, Archerfish does all the hard work for users by watching video 24x7 and pushing critical, visual information as events of interest occur. If and only when a defined event occurs, Archerfish notifies users with event text and video to their mobile device, email, or custom web portal.

"We are thrilled that Archerfish has been included on Designing Spaces. The segment gives viewers a realistic look at the benefits of Archerfish to both residential and business owners," said Helen Shepro, vice president, strategy and marketing, Cernium Corporation. "Designing Spaces has done a terrific job of highlighting how Archerfish provides timely, relevant, visual information about the people and places that matter most to consumers, no matter where they may be."

"Archerfish is the next evolution in place-shifting technology, enabling better lifestyle management, enhanced security and greater peace of mind," said Debbie Shuey, product manager, Archerfish. "Designing Spaces gave us the opportunity to show how Archerfish can help consumers juggle their increasingly complex home and work lives and provide information that is critical to managing important events."

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'Nation's Next Top Model Home' Interior Design Competition to Premiere June 15th

The beginning of a new genre of reality competitions emerged today with the announcement of the 2009 "Nation's Next Top Model Home" competition.

In this unique web-based challenge, seven lucky interior designers will be chosen to decorate the primary living areas of seven new model homes within a single new home community. Designers will ultimately be competing for a $25,000 cash prize.

Starting June 15th, "Nation's Next Top Model Home" will broadcast weekly online webisodes, spotlighting designers and their work through in-depth interviews, personal video blogs, and journals. The public can follow each designer as they begin their 28-day quest to turn a blank canvas into a beautifully staged living space. Fans of the show will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite designers, as well as their favorite interior design elements used in the competition.

The winning designer will ultimately be chosen by the public during the show's Grand Reveal weekend, where the actual model homes will be open for viewing for a period of 30 days. Visitors will be able to tour each designer's entry home and cast their votes for the winning design.

"This competition combines all the positive characteristics of reality shows and social media," said Kelly Burnette, one of the competition's founders. "It's the perfect opportunity to create a fun and dynamic following on the web, as well as provide terrific exposure for the participating designers and the host community."

The 2009 host community for this year's competition will be Compass Pointe. Located minutes outside historic Wilmington, North Carolina, the area is famous for beaches, warm breezes and southern hospitality. Known as a thriving new community, Compass Pointe is the ideal location to launch the competition's inaugural year.

Applications are currently being accepted through June 15th from regional designers interested in participating in the competition. Entry information can be found on the competition's website at www.nationsnexttopmodelhome.com.

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Tips For Making Your Home Feel Like New

Feldco Factory Direct, LLC brings a new element to people looking for a new home. By replacing windows, siding and doors, Feldco brings a fresh feel to an existing home. Products allow customers to create a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing living atmosphere. With windows, siding and doors being their specialty, they are the go-to for home improvement projects.

A Chicago tradition for over 30 years, Feldco offers free in-home estimates for their services along with a quick installation period, allowing the customer to have their home complete in mere days, a quicker and cheaper way of building a new feel to your existing home.

With this new concept in freshening homes, Feldco does not compromise on quality. "Throughout Feldco's history, we have been lauded as a company committed to fair and ethical business practices. We were the first home improvement company to join the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois, and have remained a member in good standing for over thirty years, as well as an A+ grade," said Doug Cook, President.

Feldco products are Energy Star rated and qualify for the new $1,500 Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency. All Feldco Windows, Siding and Door products are manufactured in the U.S.A.