iPhones, iPads, iPedicures...Oh My

If have ever had a pedicure or manicure at a busy nail salon you know that the conversations usually centers around celebrity gossip, People magazine and recipes. Well this week I was left speechless by the conversation....


Saturday afternoon there were 6 ladies in the salon ranging in age from 55 to 75. Everyone had an iPhone or an iPad on their lap while getting their pedicures, fills and manicures. As I sat back and listened, I realized that the very animated conversations were about the new features on of the iPhone 4S, Skyping with grand kids at college and how to download Apps.  


Baby Boomers are changing the world and they using technology to do it. What is next the iPedicure?


In the spirit of the Nail Salon Chatter:  


Eye Reader - Stop squinting at restaurant menus or trying to read your theater program in the dark. The Eye Reader lets you use your iPhone 4's LED light to magnify and illumine small print. (iPhone4; 1.99)


G Park – For those times when it comes to finding your car in a huge parking lot or deck. Just set your location before you leave your car and the app will get you back with pinpoint accuracy. Great for the Airport! (iPhone; .99)

It Takes A Village to Age In Place

What will it take to successfully Age In Place? It will take a village.

NextDoor.com is a social networking site that has incredible potential for people of all ages. Many communities around the country have initiatives to connect residents, but this site allows neighbors to communicate in any weather and from the safety of their homes when mobility is an issue.  

• Does anyone have a tool?
• Babysitter needed...
• Can someone help change my light bulb?
• How are you doing in this storm?

I live in a rural area where I rarely get to see my neighbors. This would be a far more effective way to stay in touch, find lost pets and increase neighborhood safety. The world is changing and here is technology to make every community feel a little more "small town".

Is your Haunted House Accessible?

Make sure your Haunted House is Accessible for all of your guests

by including Great Grabz's Glow in the Dark Grab Bars.

Friday Photos

1600 Dots....2000 More to Go

In the Field on Firday

An Abbie Joan Job



Have a Great Weekend!

8 Great Bathroom Makeover Ideas

 Here are some 8 great ways to update a bathroom of any size. Every bathroom can look fashion forward with a bit of color and design.

 1. Remove old medicine cabinets and install decorative tiles with glass shelves for guest amenities. $$$

 2. Install a decorative wood frame around your mirror. Picture frame molding can give the mirror a look of elegance. (Tip - Paint the back of the wood black to avoid a shadow line.) $$$

3. Remove old glass enclosure and replace with clear frameless glass doors. $$

4. Cut out a few of your field tiles and insert decorative tiles to give a pop of color to a solid shower wall. 5.Repaint the room in a warm color tone. This gives everyone a healthy glow. $$

6. Replace dated Hollywood lighting with a new decorative lighting sconces. Your local home stores probably carry a great selection of cost effective lighting. $$ 

7. Install new bathroom accessories and decorative hardware. Have fun with this! Sports, animals, flowers there are so many options. $

8. Buy new bath towels to add a big pop of color. $

For more great design ideas visit http://www.abbiejoan.com/


Key:
$ - Fast and Cheap.
$$ - DIY over $50
$$$ - Requires Professional over $150

Design/Build Remodeling...More than 1 Man and a Truck

Today’s savvy homeowners are looking to make good spending decisions on their remodeling projects. They are no longer satisfied by the tradesman who uses his sledge hammer first and then… pulls out his pencil from behind his ear and starts to calculate costs. This method often results in a project that is poorly designed and notoriously over budget.

A Design/Build Remodeler is the perfect professional to work with the new breed of homeowner who is looking for a great project, an enjoyable process and an exceptional value.

The Process:

• Initial Meeting – This is the time to get to know one another, survey the existing home, honestly discuss budget desires, and talk about needs both present and future.
• Idea Sharing – During the exchange of ideas, the remodeler and the client can see if they are a comfortable match. Can they work together to accomplish the clients goals?
• Design Stage – This is where the magic happens… Design ideas are presented, mulled over and agreed upon as a team. Material choices are presented, options are explored and budgets are established. This phase often takes time and requires a series of meetings. Choices are much easier to change on paper then in the field and this is the time to do it.
• Construction Documents –When all designs are complete they are put to paper and both remodeler and client sign off. Clear and detailed documents make good projects.
• Time to Build – With all of the preparation done it is time to bring in the crews. There are clear cut directions from construction documents and the plan can be executed.

Good value in a remodeling project does not mean cheap. It means that money is well spent and the design and function exceeds expectations.

If you have any questions on Design/Build Remodeling please feel free to contact me at Abbie Sladick, CGR, CAPS or visit our website http://www.abbiejoan.com/

Hotel Design Trends

New hotel trends you’ll see popping up include:

Multipurpose Lobbies- Reaching out to the younger generation. Hotels are redesigning their lobbies to have their guests come for cocktails, coffee, or just a place to check their emails and hangout with the family.  I recently noticed this with my trip to Charlotte NC. The Marriott Hotel in South park had many lounge areas sectioned off for guests to choose from.  Along with scented candles and various pitchers of fruit infused water.  It was such a welcoming environment that guests were taking advantage of daily.

Source

No More Tubs- Many hotels, like Marriott are doing away with bathtubs, and opting for showers instead.  Marriott is “advising our newly built hotels to put showers in 75% of their rooms.”* New technologies in grout allow them to be easier to clean than in the past and color tile options add a new element of creative design for the bathrooms.

Pump Dispensers- Hotels are also beginning to get rid of those cute little bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and installing soap dispensers instead. While including soap dispensers would be easier for those with limited hand mobility, I would imagine that many people- myself included- will miss those tiny bottles that travel so well.

source

Electronic Check In- Similar to the kiosks you see at airports, hotels are adding electronic check in spots for guests. Some of Starwood’s Aloft hotels are offering “Smart Check In” that will text a guest on the day of their stay with information on getting into their room- bypassing the line at the check in counter.** 

Energy Efficient- Looking for ways to save on their energy costs, hotels are adding technology that requires guests to use their hotel keys to keep the lights on.  I experienced this at the Platinum Hotel in Las Vegas.  I had to place my room key next to the door to keep the lights going in the hotel room.  It was really not an inconvenience in anyway and saved me from unnecessarily leaving any lights on while I was out of the room.  Many hotels are also considering adding a motion light detector for the hallways to keep them from having to stay lit all day.

 Sources:

Construction Writers

Naples News

What hotel changes would you like to see?  Which ones will you miss?