Old House? New House? Weighing Your Options

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Maybe it has something to do with a childhood home we fondly remember. Many of us long for old homes built with solid construction, quality craftsmanship and beautiful details. We wax poetic and wistfully recall the hand carvings, plaster walls and eyebrow dormers of homes weve known. On the other hand, how do the old homes we admire compare with newly minted modelsand what should we consider before deciding which to buy?

Location. Typically, old homes sit on generous plots of land in or near town. The neighborhoods are established and usually more central to schools and shopping. Mature trees and plantings provide shade and beautify the property and neighborhood streets. New homes are generally found in new developments outside of town and homeowners who buy into an early can expect to contend with dust and construction sights and sounds as the remaining phases are being built. Landscaping may be skimpy or nonexistent, but a buyer has the opportunity to design the dcor from scratch.

Layout. New homes tend to have a more spacious functional layout with higher ceilings, bigger windows, family kitchens, walk-in closets, and family rooms. Some even have media rooms and come pre-wired for cable and computers. On the other hand, older homes were designed for a more formal lifestyle, which is reflected in the formal dining and living areas and many cozy rooms, including small bedrooms, closets and bathrooms.

Energy efficiency. Those eight-over-eight single pane wood windows add character to an old home, but even with storm windows, theyre not nearly as energy efficient as modern dual-glazed or thermal windows. While most old homes lacked insulation in outside walls and attics, homes built today insulate against high heating and cooling costs. Although the bigger windows, higher ceilings and larger rooms, common in new homes, can also cause high utility bills.

Maintenance. With older homes, upkeep could be more expensive because of older appliances, plumbing and electrical systemsnot to mention the roofmay need to be replaced. A turn of the century home may have outdated knob-and-tube wiring, and even a recently built home may have an inadequate fuse box-style panel that falls short of the energy demands of 21st century families. But new homes generally come with warranties that will cover the cost for most major problems.

Price. Older homes are usually less expensive per square foot. In addition the tax structure is more predictable because the neighborhood is already established with amenities that newer neighborhoods are still in the process of gaining, such as schools, police and fire services, and infrastructures (roads, sidewalks, etc.). However, with restoration costs a possibility for older homes, your dollars may very well be spent on the back-end rather than upfront.

If the charm and beauty of an old home wins your heart, hire an inspector to evaluate the home for lead paint, insect and water damage, lead and/or galvanized pipes, outdated wiring, foundation problems and energy efficiency, including windows as well as heating/cooling systems and insulation. After you get the all-clear, you have one last consideration: Does the home fit your lifestyle or would the conveniences of a newer model suit you better? Only you and your family have the answer.

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Huge Dorado Off Mag Bay!

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We were on a sixty four foot viking enclosed bridge sport fish. I mean top of the line, brand new with everything you could need to make your trip perfect. Anyways we got all our gear ready hear in san diego, got down to the boat about two in the morning to start her up and get ready to rock. Of course we spent the couple days before this preparing the boat with food and all our fishing gear we needed for this trip. Anyways we set off about three am after everyone getting down there from sleeping in to late of course.

Whell we untied the lines and set off for our three day trip to the magic magdalena bay aka ultimate fishing. As the trip was going on we were fishing a little on the way down but not to much, we knew that the real fish stocks were hanging out in mag bay so why waste time. The only time we would fish on the way down was if we saw something. After three wonderful days on the water we reached our destination, Mag Bay.

Since its a prety good run and we havnt had a good meal for about seventy two hours or so, I decided to pull into the bay and cook up a huge meal that would put us all to sleep. After we all woke up from the great BBQ I made everyone was ready to get fishing. Our goal was to tag and release as many marlin and dorado as possible, witch wasnt a problem at all. That night we pulled in and made dinner I stayed up a bit later than the others to make bait. Witch of course was the best thing we ever did once we started fishing the next morning.

Started up the mains and headed out to fish the magadalena bay area. Perfect day on the water with alot of birds showing us exactly where to go. Once we go all the gear ready to go with live bait hooks I told the boys to bait up and lets get it cracking. As they got there lines in the water I decided to stir up the water with some extra baits, witch in turn brought up the biggest school of dorado I have seen in years. Once they came to the top of the water you couldnt even get your bait to hit the water before they ate it. This was the most amazing dorado feeding I have ever seen, and it didnt stop there.

After running out of dorado tags we decided to move outside a bit and hit up the stripped marlin for tagging. I dont know what was going on this year but it was just amazing, a out right feeding frenzy. So after tagging fourteen marlin and countless dorado the crew was just spent, so I took us back to the bay for the night. We cooked up some fish and passed out about five minutes after eating.

Anyways if you ever get a chance to go fish magdalena Bay dont pass if up, you will regret it. We do alot of these trips each year for tagging and releasing so check out the site and see when we will be there, you could win a chance to come along with Save The Pacific Foundation.

Thanks for listening,

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Out of town shopping malls may well have started the decline of the traditional British high street over the last few years, and its easy to see why. However whilst London doesnt offer any of these it doesnt need to!

London literally has it all. From market stalls to the worlds biggest department stores, from inexpensive bric-a-brac to extortionately priced cutting edge fashion from the worlds top designers, everyone is catered for by Londons many and varied shopping areas.

As convenient as malls are, they dont even scratch the surface of what London is able to offer the shopper in terms of diversity and wherever you are in the city, its all just a short tube or bus ride away. With the chance of seeing some of the worlds most famous landmarks as well, the London shopping experience cannot be beaten.

Oxford Street

Britain's busiest high street and London's best known shopping area is chock-a-block full of the nation's most popular shops over 300 in fact. Many of the biggest high street names have their flagship stores here and the street also boasts the oldest record shop in the world (HMV at number 363). Also home to the world famous Selfridges department store, Oxford Street is 1 miles of shopping utopia for those that dont mind the experience being a little on the hectic side.
Nearest Tubes: Marble Arch, Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road

Knightsbridge

Knightsbridge is the home of classy fashion boutiques and quality department stores - the jewels in the crown being the absolutely fabulous Harvey Nicholls and the worlds most famous corner shop, Harrods. Big name fashion designers can be found in Sloane Street and equally chic but smaller outlets at Beauchamp Place.
Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge

Kensington High Street

Kensington offers a bit of everything to those shopping in London. It features all of the well known chain stores, plenty of one-offs, department stores (the main one being Barkers), an array of antique shops (in nearby Kensington Church Street) and numerous restaurants. Its less busy than the West End and certainly a touch classier.
Nearest Tube: High Street Kensington

Regent Street

Regent Street, running the of a mile between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus, certainly provides the most visually elegant shopping experience in London as all the shops conform to the same ornate architectural style. It features department stores, fashion boutiques, restaurants and well known high street names and is also home to the worlds best known toy store, Hamleys.
Nearest Tubes: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus

Bond Street

If youre looking for a London shopping experience with a touch of class and you dont mind paying for it then Bond Street is for you. Full of the biggest designer names including Armani, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Cartier and Tiffany & Co, the street boasts more suppliers to the royal family than anywhere else in London. A world away from the every man for themselves experience of Oxford Street, many stores have their own doormen. The street is also home to the world famous Sothebys auction house.
Nearest Tube: Bond Street

Tottenham Court Road

If youre shopping in London for electrical items or home furnishings then Tottenham Court Road is well worth a visit. The backstreets of the area offer an array of interesting pubs and specialist shops and nearby Charlotte Street features a wide variety of restaurants.
Nearest Tubes: Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street, Warren Street

Soho & Chinatown

Soho has cleaned up its act over the years and no longer has the seedy reputation it was once known for. If its sex shops youre looking for in London, youll still be well catered for but its reputation nowadays is built just as much on the many cafes, bars and restaurants, all of which make the area an extremely popular attraction 24 hours a day. Its an incredibly diverse area racially and culturally, has a thriving gay community and has also become the media capital over recent years. Soho is busy and untidy but well worth the experience.
Nearest Tubes: Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square

Carnaby Street

Londons fashion Mecca of the swinging 60s has today become almost as famous for souvenir shops cashing in on tourists who are drawn to the street by its iconic name, however it is now starting to regain something of a cutting edge reputation, particularly at the southern end of the street. Newburgh Street (which runs across Carnaby Street) features the shops of a number of top designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier and John Richmond and nearby Kingly Court has 3 floors of concept shops set around an open courtyard offering items not sold anywhere else in London.
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus

Kings Road

The road gained a reputation for cutting edge fashion back in the 1960s and 70s which perhaps it doesnt quite have nowadays, however it still features many independent clothes and shoe shops. There are also a number of contemporary furnishing stores and a huge array of bars and restaurants. The large Peter Jones department store is at the Sloane Square end of the road and opposite is the new Duke Of York shopping precinct. The road has always had something of a glamorous reputation and as well as providing a great London shopping experience, is also a top place to go celeb spotting.
Nearest Tube: Sloane Square

Fulham Road

The Fulham Road runs parallel to the Kings Road and offers an altogether more laid back London shopping experience. If its antiques youre after or specialist interior furnishings then youll be more than ably catered for here.
Nearest Tube: South Kensington

Portobello Road

Notting Hill has become quite a fashionable area of late but long before the film and even the annual carnival in fact ever since the 18th century the Portobello Road market has drawn large numbers of visitors. Known predominantly for its antiques, bric-a-brac and collectables, theres also shops and stalls selling everything from fruit and veg to trendy clothing. And if all that shopping makes you thirsty, theres no shortage of pubs for you to choose from.
Nearest Tube: Ladbroke Grove

Islington

Another area of London that has become fashionable in recent years, Islington has a bit of everything to cater for both its inhabitants and visitors. Upper Street is the areas high street and features all of the familiar chain stores as well as lots of bars and restaurants. Chapel Market offers all of the usual market fare such as fruit and veg, clothes and homeware whilst Camden Passage has some nice antiques shops. Islington is not the obvious London shopping destination, but well worth a look.
Nearest Tube: Angel

Camden Town

If you're after a more bohemian London shopping experience than that offered by Knightsbridge or Bond Street, then get yourself up to Camden. One of the citys coolest areas has a seemingly endless array of shops and stalls selling such items as clothing (new, second hand and retro), customised Doc Martins and trainers, jewellery, bootleg CDs and DVDs and craft ware. Open daily (and very busy at weekends), it's a multi cultural experience with some great little food outlets dotted all over.
Nearest Tube: Camden Town

Covent Garden

Formerly a fruit and vegetable market, 'The Garden' is now a constant and varied hive of activity. It has a hugely diverse selection of shops, eateries, bars, a market selling art, crafts, antiques and souvenirs, historic buildings, theatres, the Royal Opera House and fantastic free entertainment provided by street entertainers and musicians. If you can't find something to capture your interest at Covent Garden then there really is no hope.
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden

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http://www.cflwaves.com

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When designing a kitchen, most people focus tightly on organization and efficiency. While those truly are important considerations, don't forget to give your kitchen a personality as well as functionality. One classic kitchen decorating theme is the French country look.

A French country kitchen makes you feel as if you have just walked into a cottage in rural France. Such a kitchen reflects a joy of living and importance of family and friends. Whether you live in a high-rise urban condominium or a split-level in the suburbs, you can bring the warmth and beauty of the French countryside to your own kitchen. The combination of many small touches is what gives a French country kitchen its vibrant, romantic feel.

Color plays a major role in a French country kitchen. If you stepped into the kitchen of a French country cottage, you would probably find walls painted either a butter or mustard yellow, with cupboards painted cornflower blue or even salmon pink. Of course, you could choose to make your walls blue and use the lighter shades as accents.

In the country kitchens of France, natural light is part of the decor. Window dressings are often simple Roman shades. Fabric choices range from canvas to toile, solid to stripped or even prints of fruits, vegetables, or herbs. Speaking of herbs, one simple French country detail is the presence of lavender. Hang a bunch of dried lavender from a hook on the ceiling or the wall, or stand a clump in a wall vase, and you'll bring the scent of the French countryside into your kitchen.

Accessories for a French country kitchen are almost always functional. A tall terra cotta or copper vase serves as countertop storage for spatulas and other cooking utensils. Open, freestanding racks made of copper or wrought iron hold plants as well as placemats, napkins, and serving bowls. Ceramic trivets with rooster or herb designs can be displayed on walls when not in use on the table.

A plain, pine work table doubles as a place for family and friends to gather for meals or simply to socialize. Be sure to choose a size table that won't interrupt the traffic flow in your kitchen. If you have a very small galley style kitchen, you might want to skip this element. In the kitchen, the difference between cramped and cozy is enough to ruin any mood.

Since French country kitchens are small by nature, their owners make the best use of every possible space. Instead of traditional cabinets they often opt for vertical storage. Wrought iron ceiling racks keep frequently used pots and pans handy. Pot racks are very popular in kitchens around the world, and are therefore easy to find. In fact, you'll be surprised at the wide range of styles and sizes available. You can achieve the French country look even if your kitchen doesn't lend itself to an overhead pot rack. Strong hooks on the wall or on a solid core door will give save cabinet space and add to the country feel of your kitchen.

Additional information, resources, and updates for this article can be found at:http://www.diyhomedecorating.com/articles/2005-10/202/french-country-kitchen-decorating/

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